A 70-year-old patient with a fractured molar. Two weeks ago he had spinal surgery and was prescribed Percocet (oxycodone + acetaminophen) for pain. He reports intense pain and requests more medication. Most appropriate pain management?

Correct answer: A. Prescribe acetaminophen 325 mg + ibuprofen 400 mg

• A. Correct. A combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen is first-line, effective non-opioid analgesia for acute dental pain and avoids stacking additional opioids/acetaminophen on top of his existing Percocet regimen.
• B. Ibuprofen alone, while reasonable, is generally less effective than the acetaminophen+ibuprofen combination shown in evidence-based dental pain protocols.
• C. Adding more Percocet risks acetaminophen toxicity (since Percocet already contains acetaminophen) and unnecessary opioid exposure.
• D. A dentist should not unilaterally increase a medication prescribed by another physician without coordination.