Effective pain control with equal short-term outcomes and patient satisfaction seen in patients who got non-opioid pain medication.

Study also shows certain patients have an even greater risk of overdose if they fill opioid prescriptions, and strengthens argument against use of opioids for most dental pain.

Comparison of opioid-sparing approach with standard care shows no difference in patient satisfaction, but less pain among those counseled to use opioids only as backup.

Minority experience worsening of symptoms over time, especially younger people.

Though non-opioid painkillers can be just as effective, patients having dental procedures just before weekends and holidays are more likely to fill prescriptions for opioids.

A new study of tooth extraction patients shows no benefit to opioids over other painkillers, either in pain control or patient satisfaction.