A new study from Rutgers University challenges the longstanding practice of prescribing opioids for pain management after wisdom teeth extractions. The research, which involved 1,815 adults, reveals that common over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, may be just as effective, if not superior, to opioids in treating post-surgery pain.
Historically, opioids such as hydrocodone were the go-to treatment for pain following wisdom teeth removal. However, the opioid addiction crisis has spurred a reevaluation of pain management strategies in dental procedures. The Rutgers study, published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, provides compelling evidence that non-opioid pain relievers can significantly reduce pain and improve recovery.
According to Dr. Cecile Feldman, Dean of the Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine, “We’re not suggesting that opioids have no place in pain management. However, nonopioid options should be considered in many cases, as they are often more beneficial for patients.”
The study, which was a double-blind, controlled trial, compared two groups: one receiving a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and the other receiving acetaminophen paired with hydrocodone, the most commonly prescribed opioid in dentistry. Both the patients and researchers were unaware of which medication each participant received.
Results showed that those treated with the over-the-counter combination experienced less pain during the first 48 hours after surgery, compared to those taking opioids. Additionally, nonopioid users had fewer side effects and were able to resume normal daily activities sooner. Patient satisfaction was also higher in the nonopioid group.
This study, the largest of its kind, builds on previous smaller research indicating that over-the-counter medications can effectively manage post-surgical pain. Feldman hopes the findings will encourage dental professionals to adopt nonopioid pain management as the standard approach, especially given the ongoing concerns surrounding opioid addiction.
“Dentists have made strides in reducing opioid prescriptions,” Feldman noted, “but there is still potential for further reductions, especially with stronger public education on the effectiveness of nonopioid alternatives.”
The study’s results aim to combat the misconception that opioids are always the most effective solution for pain management, a belief that remains prevalent among some patients.
Feldman emphasized the importance of educating both the public and dental practitioners to ensure that safer, more effective alternatives are considered for pain relief following wisdom teeth removal.
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