Patient scheduled for an extraction reports pain 3/10. Which analgesic is most appropriate?

Correct answer: B. Ibuprofen

• A. Reasonable alternative. Acetaminophen is a good choice for mild pain or for patients who cannot take NSAIDs, but it lacks the anti-inflammatory effect.
• B. Best answer. For mild–moderate acute dental (inflammatory) pain, an NSAID such as ibuprofen is first-line and generally more effective than acetaminophen alone for odontogenic pain.
• C. Incorrect. Opioids like hydrocodone are reserved for severe pain unresponsive to non-opioids; they are inappropriate first-line for 3/10 pain.

Note: Either non-opioid (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) is defensible for mild pain; current evidence favors ibuprofen (or ibuprofen + acetaminophen) for dental pain, with opioids avoided.