Effect of Preoperative Ibuprofen on Pain Perception and Pulse Rate in Paediatric Patients with Deep Caries: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of preoperative ibuprofen on intraoperative pain and stress responses during vital pulp therapy (VPT), a minimally invasive treatment aimed at preserving pulp vitality, in children with reversible pulpitis. METHODS: Forty-four children aged 7-13 years with reversible pulpitis in mandibular first permanent molars were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (10 mg/kg ibuprofen 40 minutes before treatment, n = 22) or the control group (no premedication, n = 22). Pain was assessed intraoperatively using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and pulse rate monitoring. Postoperative VAS scores were recorded on days 1, 3, and 7. Ethical approval was obtained (Approval No: 2024-KAEK-08; 25.12.2024), and the study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07114198). CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of ibuprofen significantly reduces intraoperative pain and stress responses during VPT in children, improving comfort and cooperation, and may serve as a simple and clinically applicable adjunct in routine paediatric dental practice.