Keywords
cannabis pharmacology, pharmacology kinetics in dentistry, cannabis and dental caries, cannabis and periodontal disease
Abstract
Cannabis is no longer an illicit drug but rather a drug whose use has dramatically increased because its recreational use is largely legal, and its use in medicine has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of many difficult to treat disorders including chronic pain, spasticity, and several cancer related problems to name but a few.
This change represents several new challenges for dentists. Chronic cannabis use can increase the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease and dental caries. Cannabis also has been shown to alter the clinical pharmacokinetics and the magnitude of the clinical actions of many pharmacologic agents frequently used by dentists. This includes but is not limited to local anesthetics, non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, medications with anticholinergic activity, opiates and sedative/anxiolytic medications.
This review is intended to provide the practicing dentist with an overview of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of cannabis as well as a catalog of medications used in Dentistry whose actions can be clinically altered in patients that frequently use cannabis.
Recommended Citation
Gengo, Fran M. PharmD, PCP
(2024)
"Clinical Pharmacology of Cannabis Relevant to Dentistry,"
The New York State Dental Journal: Vol. 90:
No.
4, Article 5.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/nysdj/vol90/iss4/5