Cannabidiol (CBD): A Safer Path for Dental Pain Relief

In a pioneering investigation with the potential to transform dental pain control, researchers at Rutgers have discovered that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-addictive derivative of marijuana, can alleviate acute dental pain. This groundbreaking outcome, documented in the Journal of Dental Research, suggests that CBD, devoid of any intoxicating effects, could be a comparably effective and considerably safer substitute for addictive opioid pain relievers (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Marijuana component offers opioid alternative by effectively treating dental pain

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Historical Reliance on Anti-Inflammatory Medicines

Lead author Vanessa Chrepa, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, highlighted the historical reliance on anti-inflammatory medications for dental pain relief, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). However, due to various reasons, including patient limitations or insufficient relief, dentists have often resorted to prescribing opioid medications. Recognizing the escalating issues related to opioid addiction and fatalities, the study focused on exploring CBD, as previous research indicated its potential for relieving dental pain without inducing psychoactive effects associated with THC. The clinical trial enlisted 61 participants experiencing severe tooth pain, randomly assigning them to receive different doses of an FDA-approved pure CBD solution called Epidiolex or a placebo. Pain levels were monitored using a visual analog scale (VAS) over three hours, a standard tool for assessing pain intensity.

Results showed that both CBD groups reported significantly greater pain reduction compared to the placebo group. Approximately 85 percent of CBD users reported a minimum of a 50 percent reduction in initial pain, with both CBD groups achieving a median 70 percent reduction in pain.

CBD Effect on the Human Body

The study also identified an increase in bite force among those who received CBD, suggesting an improvement in tooth function. Notably, participants in the CBD groups experienced more side effects such as sedation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain compared to the placebo group. Limitations in the study, including a small sample size, indicate the need for further extensive research to validate these findings and explore broader applications of CBD in pain management.

Plans for a larger-scale phase III clinical trial are in progress, aiming to build on these promising results and fully understand CBD's safety profile in treating dental pain. Chrepa emphasized the need for follow-up research to explore additional applications, such as managing postoperative pain or combining CBD with other agents for enhanced pain relief. Despite the study's limitations, the robust results suggest a compelling case for using pure CBD, like Epidiolex, for dental pain management, with the anticipation of obtaining FDA approval for broader application.

“This study's robust results make a compelling case for CBD in dental pain management. A larger trial is the next step towards FDA approval.”

Reference:

1. Marijuana component offers opioid alternative by effectively treating dental pain - (https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1008198)

Source-Medindia