THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES OF Cannabis sativa L. IN DENTISTRY

Abstract

The medicinal use of Cannabis sativa is ancient, involving various cultures around the world, and the use of phytocannabinoids as therapeutic options in dentistry can bring numerous benefits to the quality of life for many patients. This study aimed to discuss the advances in the clinical applications of phytocannabinoids in dentistry. The methodology employed involved a literature review using the direct documentation technique, classified as bibliographic research, utilizing the PubMed database and using 'Google Scholar' as a supporting search engine, with the descriptors "Cannabis," "Cannabinoids," and "Dentistry" in the period from March to April 2023, searching for articles in both English and Portuguese published in the last five years. The inclusion criteria were meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized clinical trials addressing the use of phytocannabinoids in dentistry. Eight studies were selected to achieve the objectives of the work. The results indicated that evidence regarding the use of phytocannabinoids in orofacial diseases is still insufficient. Proper pharmacological pathways may bring potential benefits in clinical situations of nociceptive, neuropathic, and chronic pain. However, the found research emphasizes the need for more clinical studies to be developed to ensure a better understanding of therapeutic protocols and improved pharmaceutical forms, thereby ensuring greater reliability for clinical use in these and other applications in dental practice.