A University of Rochester study revealed that over-the-counter drugs, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, are more effective than opioids for managing pain after wisdom tooth extractions.
This approach minimizes pain and reduces side effects, potentially decreasing opioid misuse among young adults.
Dr. Hans Malmstrom of UR Medicine’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health emphasized that five million opioid prescriptions are issued annually for wisdom teeth removal, exposing patients to addiction risks.
The study, involving 1,800 patients, hopes to shift prescribing practices and combat the opioid crisis.
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