Cannabidiol (CBD) as a Novel Approach for Treating Dental Discomfort: Insights from Rutgers Study

Recent research conducted by Rutgers University has discovered that cannabidiol (CBD), a substance derived from marijuana that is not habit-forming, can significantly alleviate dental discomfort. This finding offers a promising alternative to opioid-based treatments. The study involved assessing pain relief in test subjects, underscoring CBD’s potential role in managing dental pain. Further research and a phase III trial are in the pipeline to confirm these initial findings.

The team at Rutgers has observed that CBD is effective in mitigating dental pain, positioning it as a potential substitute for opioids. Additional studies are forthcoming to validate these preliminary results and to further investigate CBD’s role in pain management.

This pioneering research by Rutgers scientists indicates that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-habit-forming derivative of marijuana, is effective in reducing acute dental pain, potentially transforming the approach to dental pain management.

CBD as a Preferable Option for Pain Relief

Published in the Journal of Dental Research, this unique study reveals that CBD, which does not induce a “high” in users, might offer an effective and much safer alternative to opioid analgesics known for their addictive properties.

“Traditionally, dentists have heavily relied on anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen for dental pain relief. However, not all patients can use these drugs or find adequate relief, leading dentists to prescribe opioids, either alone or in combination with these drugs,” explained Vanessa Chrepa, lead author of the study, associate professor at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, and director of clinical and translational research in the department’s endodontics.

“With the increase in opioid addiction and fatalities, the search for better pain relief alternatives is paramount. Much of this research has been on THC, another cannabis component, but its psychoactive properties and other adverse effects are a concern. We focused on CBD, as earlier studies in other fields suggested it might relieve dental pain without psychoactive effects, which is the ideal outcome.”

Clinical Study and Encouraging Results

The clinical trial included 61 participants with intense toothache, randomly assigned to receive either Epidiolex, an FDA-approved pure CBD solution, or a placebo. Pain levels were monitored over three hours using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Participants using CBD reported significantly greater pain reduction than those receiving the placebo. Approximately 85% of CBD users experienced a reduction in pain by at least 50%, with both CBD groups achieving a median pain reduction of 70%.

Another significant outcome was the increase in bite force among CBD recipients, indicating improved dental function. This suggests that CBD could be especially beneficial for those with dental pain affecting their chewing ability.

Side effects such as sedation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were more common in CBD users than in the placebo group. The study, however, had limitations like its small sample size, necessitating more comprehensive research to validate these findings and explore CBD’s wider role in pain management.

Upcoming Research and Phase III Trial

Plans for an extensive phase III clinical trial are underway to further explore these promising results and fully assess CBD’s safety for dental pain treatment.

“Future research will delve into more aspects. We aim to investigate if CBD can manage postoperative pain after dental surgeries like tooth extractions or root canals, or if combining it with other agents like Tylenol enhances pain relief,” said Chrepa. “The current study’s results strongly support using pure CBD solutions like Epidiolex for dental pain. The next step is a larger phase 3 trial for FDA approval of Epidiolex or similar pure CBD solutions for dental pain management. I am excited to see this translated into routine practice, which could significantly benefit patients with acute toothaches and potentially other acute inflammatory pain conditions.”

Reference: “Cannabidiol as an Alternative Analgesic for Acute Dental Pain” by V. Chrepa, S. Villasenor, A. Mauney, G. Kotsakis and L. Macpherson, 31 October 2023, Journal of Dental Research.
DOI: 10.1177/00220345231200814

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CBD Dental Pain Relief

More about CBD Dental Pain Relief

• Rutgers University Study on CBD
• Journal of Dental Research Publication
• CBD and Pain Management Research
• Epidiolex Clinical Trials
• Alternatives to Opioid Painkillers in Dentistry
• Safety Profile of CBD in Dental Treatments
• Non-Psychoactive Pain Relief Options
• Acute Dental Pain Management Techniques