Abstract
The naturally occurring cannabis plant has played an established role in pain management
throughout recorded history. However, in recent years, both natural and synthetic
cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPM) have gained increasing worldwide
attention due to growing evidence supporting their use in alleviating chronic inflammatory
and neuropathic pain associated with an array of conditions. In view of these products’
growing popularity in both the medical and commercial fields, we carried out a systematic
review to ascertain the effects of cannabis and its synthetically derived products
on orofacial pain and inflammation. The application of topical dermal cannabidiol
formulation has shown positive findings such as reducing pain and improving muscle
function in patients suffering from myofascial pain. Conversely, two orally-administered
synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (AZD1940 and GW842166) failed to demonstrate
significant analgesic effects following surgical third molar removal. There is a paucity
of literature pertaining to the effects of cannabis-based products in the orofacial
region; however, there is a wealth of high-quality evidence supporting their use for
treating chronic nociceptive and neuropathic pain conditions in other areas. Further
research is warranted to explore and substantiate the therapeutic role of CBPMs in
the context of orofacial pain and inflammation. As evidence supporting their use expands,
healthcare professionals should pay close attention to outcomes and changes to legislation
that may impact and potentially benefit their patients.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: June 19, 2021
Accepted:
June 11,
2021
Received:
May 7,
2021
Identification
Copyright
Crown Copyright © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. All rights reserved.
