Cannabis-Based Therapies for Chronic Orofacial Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cruz Moreno , Tatiana; Romero Guerrero, Maria; Quiguango Farias, Diego; Vélez Cevallos, Sandra; Pazmiño Troncoso, Eliana; Juiña Jaime, Alisson; Chauca Bajaña, Luis; Lorenzo-Pouso, Alejandro I.; Zambrano Aguilar, Héctor; Velásquez Ron, Byron

doi:10.15517/3e686644

Authors

Tatiana Cruz Moreno Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1685-6202
Maria Romero Guerrero Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8670-2529
Diego Quiguango Farias Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2523-6687
Sandra Vélez Cevallos Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8202-3895
Eliana Pazmiño Troncoso Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0294-1418
Alisson Juiña Jaime Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4198-8033
Luis Chauca Bajaña Universidad de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8713-951X
Alejandro I. Lorenzo-Pouso Oral Medicine , Oral Surgery and Implantology Unit (Med Oral Res) Faculty Of Medicine and Dentistry , University of Santiago de Compostela,15782.Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9180-4703
Héctor Zambrano Aguilar Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9993-1192
Byron Velásquez Ron Carrera de Odontología , Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Carrera de Odontología. Department Prosthesis Research. Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5660-3941

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15517/3e686644

Keywords:

Cannabis; Cannabinoids; Chronic pain; Orofacial pain; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Periodontitis; Oral cancer; Analgesics; Dentistry; Systematic review; Meta-analysis.

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of cannabis-based therapies in managing chronic pain associated with TMDs, periodontitis, and oral cancer. Chronic orofacial pain, especially in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), presents a challenge in dental practice. Traditional treatments often have adverse effects and limited efficacy. Cannabis has emerged as a potential alternative due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, cohort, and case-control studies was conducted using five databases. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane ROB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. Six studies were included. Cannabis showed significant pain relief in oral cancer (OR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.24-1.71), while effects in TMDs and periodontitis were inconclusive. Cannabis may benefit oral cancer pain management; further studies are needed for TMDs and periodontitis.

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