New Data: OTC Pain Relievers More Effective than Opioids for Dental Pain

We’ve shared research showing that certain over-the-counter pain medications can be as effective as opioid medications for acute pain before. Now a study conducted by the School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School offers new data indicating the same is true for dental pain. Researchers found that ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, either alone or in combination with acetaminophen, are actually more effective than opioids for many patients when it comes to relieving dental pain. The study, which focused on the safety and efficacy of dozens of pain-relief options, concluded that opioids should be the last option for patients whose pain has not been controlled through other methods. JUCM covered various aspects of treating patients who present to urgent care with dental urgencies in Management of Acute Orofacial Pain Syndromes, available in our archives.