Cannabinoids Show Promise for Dental Pain, but Clinical Evidence Is Lacking
A narrative review found cannabinoids have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic properties relevant to dentistry, but standardized protocols and clinical trial evidence are largely absent.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabinoids show potential for treating orofacial pain, TMJ disorders, bruxism, and dental anxiety. However, integration into dental practice is limited by absent treatment protocols, insufficient clinical evidence, side effects like dry mouth, and unclear legal frameworks.
Key Numbers
Review covers applications in orofacial neuropathic pain, TMJ disorders, myofascial pain dysfunction, bruxism, and obstructive sleep apnea. Side effects include xerostomia and periodontal disease susceptibility.
How They Did This
Narrative review examining current and potential applications of cannabinoids (THC and CBD) in dentistry, including therapeutic benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations.
Why This Research Matters
Dental pain management relies heavily on opioids and NSAIDs, both with significant drawbacks. If cannabinoids prove effective for dental conditions, they could offer an important alternative.
The Bigger Picture
Dentistry is one of the medical fields most affected by the opioid crisis, as dental procedures are a common entry point for opioid prescriptions. Effective cannabinoid alternatives could reduce this pathway.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Most evidence is preclinical or from other pain conditions. No dental-specific clinical trials cited. Cannabis side effects like dry mouth could worsen dental health.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could topical cannabinoid formulations work for dental pain without systemic effects?
- ?How do the dental side effects of cannabis compare to those of current pain medications?
- ?What clinical trials are needed?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabinoids show dental pain potential but lack clinical trials and protocols
- Evidence Grade:
- Narrative review based on limited clinical evidence; most dental applications are theoretical rather than proven.
- Study Age:
- 2025 review of cannabinoid applications in dentistry.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis: What We Use, Why It Matters, and When It Is Prescribed (Ethics, Policy, and Practice).
- Published In:
- Cureus, 17(7), e89073 (2025)
- Authors:
- Mistry, Laresh N, Neelkanthan, Shreyas, More, Saudamini, Agarwal, Sumeet, Jaiswal, Himmat, Sharma, Vivek
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07153
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research without a strict systematic method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis help with dental pain?
Cannabinoids have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that could theoretically help with dental conditions, but there are currently no standardized treatment protocols or sufficient clinical trial data to guide their use in dentistry.
Are there downsides to using cannabis for dental health?
Yes. Cannabis can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which increases cavity and gum disease risk. It may also affect surgical wound healing and interact with dental medications.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07153APA
Mistry, Laresh N; Neelkanthan, Shreyas; More, Saudamini; Agarwal, Sumeet; Jaiswal, Himmat; Sharma, Vivek. (2025). Cannabis: What We Use, Why It Matters, and When It Is Prescribed (Ethics, Policy, and Practice).. Cureus, 17(7), e89073. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89073
MLA
Mistry, Laresh N, et al. "Cannabis: What We Use, Why It Matters, and When It Is Prescribed (Ethics, Policy, and Practice).." Cureus, 2025. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89073
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis: What We Use, Why It Matters, and When It Is Prescr..." RTHC-07153. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mistry-2025-cannabis-what-we-use
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.