Medical cannabis in dentistry: an analysis of the clinical evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30972/rfo.1829031Keywords:
cannabis sativa, cannabidiol, oral health, topical administrationAbstract
The objective of this study was to synthesize available scientific evidence regarding the clinical applications of cannabis as a therapeutic agent in dentistry. A narrative review was conducted based on scientific literature available in PubMed, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases through an electronic search using the keywords cannabis, cannabidiol, dentistry, therapeutics, oral health, and tooth, including articles up to January 2025. The initial search yielded 438 records; after removing duplicates and reading full-text articles, 12 records were included for subsequent qualitative analysis. The oral cavity and orofacial conditions in which cannabinoids have been used as treatment are heterogeneous. The products employed are also varied; diverse extracts, both commercial and experimental, have been tested with different cannabinoids as active ingredients. Cannabinoids were administered systemically through oral ingestion in the form of oils/extracts and locally through topical application on facial skin and oral mucosa in the form of creams, gels, or toothpastes. Although clinical studies on the use of cannabinoids in different orofacial conditions have been reported, the available clinical evidence remains limited, and studies across different conditions are heterogeneous regarding treatment protocols employed as well as control methods.
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