THURSDAY, Jan. 9, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association reveals that over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are significantly more effective at managing dental pain than opioid prescriptions, particularly after wisdom tooth extractions.
The research, conducted by a team from Rutgers University, involved more than 1,800 patients who underwent wisdom tooth removal. They were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen or a prescription for hydrocodone with acetaminophen. Findings indicated that patients using the OTC combination experienced less pain and higher satisfaction levels than those prescribed opioids.
Lead researcher Dr. Cecile Feldman expressed excitement over the study’s outcomes, stating, ‘We think this is a landmark study. The results actually came in even stronger than we thought they would.’
The study highlights a significant public health concern, especially given that dentists are among the leading prescribers of opioids, issuing over 8.9 million prescriptions in 2022. Dr. Janine Fredericks-Younger explained, ‘There are studies to show that when young people are introduced to opioids, there’s an increased likelihood they’ll use them again, leading to a potential addiction.’
Results demonstrated that patients taking the OTC combination reported fewer incidents of breakthrough pain, less interference in daily activities due to pain, and improved sleep quality. Furthermore, those who did not receive opioid prescriptions were found to be 46% less likely to fill another opioid prescription within six months post-surgery.
In light of these findings, the American Dental Association recently recommended that dentists utilize opioids as a last resort for pain relief. The research team has expressed interest in expanding their study to include other dental procedures and pain management scenarios.
What This Means For Patients
Patients undergoing dental procedures should consider discussing the use of non-opioid pain relief options with their dentist, as the findings suggest that these alternatives may be more effective and carry lower risks of dependency.
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