2TheApex: Yes!If a patient has been taking Ibuprofen symptoms can be masked.  Read found palpation to be masked up to 40% of the time. Cold response was masked 25% of the time. Be sure and ask patients if they have been taking any NSAIDs and at what dosage prior to pulpal testing. The bite stick test is one test that seems to be least affected by taking NSAIDs. We encourage patients to cease taking any pain medication at least 6 hours prior to the appointment if it sounds like the diagnosis might be challenging.