A 70-year-old had spinal surgery two weeks ago and was prescribed Percocet (oxycodone + acetaminophen) by the surgeon. He now needs extraction of a fractured molar, reports severe pain, and asks for more medication. What is the most appropriate pain management?

Combination acetaminophen plus ibuprofen provides effective analgesia for acute dental pain while avoiding additive opioid dosing; prescribing or increasing opioids that another physician already manages risks overdose, additive acetaminophen toxicity, and uncoordinated care.Other options: Ibuprofen alone may be insufficient and ignores synergy; adding/increasing Percocet duplicates opioids and acetaminophen managed by another prescriber and is unsafe.Key exam takeaway: Coordinate analgesia; avoid stacking opioids/acetaminophen prescribed by others. Ibuprofen + acetaminophen is first-line.