Cannabidiol Shows Promise as Non-Opioid Analgesic in Dental Pain Management

USA: A pioneering clinical trial conducted by researchers from the University of Texas, explored the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) as an alternative analgesic for emergency acute dental pain. The randomised placebo-controlled trial involved 61 patients with moderate to severe toothache, offering insights into the potential of CBD in addressing odontogenic pain.

Positive Outcomes for CBD in Dental Pain Reduction

Patients were divided into three groups: CBD10 (CBD 10 mg/kg), CBD20 (CBD 20 mg/kg), and a placebo group. Administering a single dose of the respective oral solution, the subjects were monitored for three hours. 

New Guidelines Advise Against Opioids for Children’s Dental Pain

Results indicated significant pain reduction in both CBD groups compared to the placebo, with a maximum median visual analog scale (VAS) pain reduction of 73% from baseline at the 180-minute mark. CBD20 exhibited a faster onset of significant pain relief than CBD10, reaching maximum pain relief at 180 minutes.

Secondary Outcomes and Safety Considerations

Beyond pain reduction, secondary outcomes, including changes in bite force, psychoactive effects, mood changes, and adverse events, were assessed. 

Both CBD groups showed a significant increase in bite forces, with CBD20 demonstrating a notable difference in mean percent bite force change at the 90- and 180-minute time points compared to the placebo group. 

Adverse events such as sedation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were associated with the CBD groups, though no significant psychoactive or mood changes were observed.

Marijuana use effect on oral health

The Potential of CBD as an Analgesic Alternative

The study, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, provides evidence that oral CBD can be an effective and safe analgesic for dental pain. With dental pain being a prevalent and acute health concern, especially for patients with limitations on traditional analgesics, the findings open new avenues for non-opioid alternatives.

Dental pain, often acute and debilitating, poses challenges in management, particularly for patients who cannot take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. The reliance on synthetic opioids for severe dental pain is a concern, contributing to the larger opioid crisis. The need for alternative nonopioid analgesics is crucial to mitigate the risks associated with opioid use in dental care.

Cannabinoids as Promising Alternatives

The study underscores the potential of cannabinoids, specifically CBD, as promising alternatives to traditional analgesics. States with marijuana laws have already shown a reduction in opioid prescriptions, and CBD’s nonpsychoactive and nonaddictive nature positions it as a viable option. 

Buzzy by Pain Care Labs Receives FDA Clearance, Reducing Pain and Anxiety in Dental Injections

While THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, is limited by federal law, CBD emerges as a potential game-changer in pain management.

Looking Ahead: Implications and Further Research

As over 100 clinical trials actively explore CBD’s analgesic potential for various pain disorders, this study marks a crucial step in understanding its effectiveness in acute dental pain. While acknowledging the challenges in conducting national-level randomised controlled trials, the researchers emphasise the need for comprehensive assessments and further research to establish CBD’s role in dental pain management.