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Postoperative pain is expected after oral surgery, but it does not always require opioid medications. Advances in anesthesia and non-opioid medications now allow oral surgeons to control pain effectively while reducing exposure to narcotics.
Table of Contents
- How Non-Opioid Pain Management Works After Oral Surgery
- Why Oral Surgeons Recommend Non-Opioid Pain Control
- Exparel® for Post-Surgical Pain Management
- Journavx® for Pain After Oral Surgery
- Non-Opioid Pain Management in Deer Park, IL
- FAQs
How Non-Opioid Pain Management Works After Oral Surgery
Pain can often be controlled without opioids by combining long-acting local anesthesia with targeted non-opioid medications. These approaches focus on blocking pain at the surgical site and reducing inflammation rather than altering pain perception in the brain.
Modern oral surgery pain management relies on a multimodal approach, using more than one method of pain control so each technique addresses pain through a different mechanism while limiting side effects.
Why Oral Surgeons Recommend Non-Opioid Pain Control
Oral surgeons increasingly recommend non-opioid pain management because it provides reliable relief while minimizing risk.
- Reduced exposure to opioid medications and their dependency potential
- Fewer opioid-related side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and sedation
- Effective pain control for many procedures, including extractions, implant placement, and bone grafting
For many patients, these approaches provide sufficient pain relief without the need for narcotic medications.
Dr. Thompson explains how non-opioid pain management works after oral surgery and why it is often recommended over narcotic medications.
Exparel® for Post-Surgical Pain Management
Exparel is a long-acting local anesthetic designed to control pain after surgery. It works by slowly releasing anesthetic over several days, helping numb the area well beyond the initial recovery period.
This extended local pain relief can significantly reduce discomfort during the first few days after surgery, which is typically when pain is most noticeable. Because it acts locally, it does not produce the systemic effects associated with opioid medications.
Journavx® for Pain After Oral Surgery
Journavx is taken after surgery and is prescribed when additional pain control is needed. It is a non-opioid medication used for moderate to severe acute pain.
Unlike opioids, Journavx does not act on opioid receptors in the brain. It targets pain through non-narcotic pathways, helping reduce the risk of sedation, dependency, and other opioid-related complications.
Non-Opioid Pain Management in Deer Park, IL
At Oral Facial & Implant Specialists, postoperative pain control is planned based on the procedure performed and each patient’s medical history.
If you have questions about pain relief after oral surgery or want to discuss available options, contact our office for guidance. To book an appointment at our oral surgeons office in Deer Park, IL, call (847) 381-0106 or visit us at 21660 W. Field Parkway, Suite 220, Deer Park, IL.
FAQs
Ibuprofen is one of the most effective non-opioid options for oral surgery pain. Many oral surgeons rate it very high because it reduces inflammation at the surgical site and often provides strong, reliable relief when taken as directed.
Aspirin can help, but it is usually less effective than ibuprofen for surgical dental pain. If your pain is more than mild, aspirin alone may not be enough, and it is not always recommended right after surgery due to its effect on bleeding.
Hydrogen peroxide does not help with pain at all. It is not a pain medication and can actually irritate healing tissue if used incorrectly, which may make discomfort worse rather than better.
