Pain control is of great importance in dental practice. It is pain that brings the patient to the dental office. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is one important component in dentistry. But the adverse reaction of these drugs cause serious problems. The adverse reaction effects are most frequently related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as simple dyspepsia or nausea, vomiting, or gastric bleeding. These adverse reactio effects result from direct gastric irritation or prostaglandin inhibition. Since prostaglandins are responsible for inhibtion of gastric acid secretion and stimulation of the cytoprotective mucous in the stomach, most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can counteract these effects. Sinc 1971, the mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was known through their inhibtion effect on the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX). The unwanted side-effects of these drugs are due to their inhibtion of COX-1 whereas their anti-inflammatory effects are due to inhibition of COX-2. Several points need to be considered to use this drug safely and effectively in dentistry. Knowing the action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can recognize the possibility of drug interactions is an important step toward preventing problems in dental clinics
