Association of Opioid Use with Pain and Satisfaction after Dental Extraction

Opioid prescriptions increased by 68% from 2010 to 2016 for new dental procedures among people not previously prescribed opioids. This study sheds light on the potential of unnecessary prescribing of opioids for dental procedures especially for people never prescribed opioids prior to their procedure. Those who were prescribed opioids after a dental extraction reported worse pain including more moderate and severe pain than those not prescribed opioids, while both groups reported similar satisfaction levels. Out of 195 extractions, 1145 excess prescription pills prescribed. These findings suggest that non-opioid medications should be given to patients for dental extractions before prescribing opioid medications.