For post-operative dental pain, the dose and frequency of a non-opioid (ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen) analgesic should be optimized. If this is not sufficient for managing pain then an opioid may be considered. If an opioid analgesic is appropriate consider limiting the number of tablets dispensed.
Sources:
Bailey E, et al. Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec 12;(12):CD004624. PMID: 24338830.
Haas DA. An update on analgesics for the management of acute postoperative dental pain. J Can Dent Assoc. 2002 Sep;68(8):476-82. PMID: 12323103.
Moore P, et al. Benefits and harms associated with analgesic medications used in the management of acute dental pain [Internet]. 2018 Apr [cited 2018 April].