Purpose To assess patient self-report on pain level and pain control satisfaction after third molar surgery without altering the regular protocol used in the study center, that includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) only. Patients and Methods Fifty-six patients that underwent third molar surgery in a mayor hospital in Costa Rica were included in the study. In this observational clinical study, no alterations or interventions were made by the researchers in the regular surgical or pharmacological protocol followed in the center. Eight days after surgery subjects were asked to rate their average pain level and to rate their satisfaction with pain control, using a verbal numerical scale. Results Fifty-six patients who gave consent to participate were included after inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. At one week follow up after third molar surgery: 14% reported no pain, 66% reported mild pain, 29% had moderate pain and 5% reported severe pain. Twenty-six subjects indicated feeling totally satisfied with the pain control received. Twenty patients reported felt very satisfied. Six patients indicated being neutral and three patients were unsatisfied with the pain control received with NSAIDs. Conclusion The results of this study support the fact that pain control after third molar surgery can be achieved with NSAIDs. On the other hand, opioid medications should be reserve for selected cases only; due to their well know implications.