More Research Needed to Explore Benefit and Technological Applications of Cannabidiol in Dentistry

Available data suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, biological, and osteoinductive properties for potential periodontal, oral surgery, and oral medicine applications, however, there seems to be widespread opportunity available for research and technological applications of CBD in dentistry, according to a publication in Dentistry Journal.

Researchers conducted a scoping review which recorded the scientific and technological scenarios related to the use of CBD in dentistry. Peer-reviewed publications were searched in five international databases, patents were searched in five technological platforms and in total, 11 articles and 13 patents involving CBD in dentistry-related applications were included. 

Results revealed that the countries contributing to most articles were Brazil (27.3%) and USA (18.2%). The studies involved experiments on animals (63.6%) and/or using bacteria or cells (36.4%), and no clinical study was discovered.

Three different applications of CBD were observed: periodontal therapy (45.4%), aid for bone regeneration (27.3%), and general use in oral therapies (27.3%).

Patent inventors were based in China (53.8%) or USA (46.2%). The patent claims were predominantly compositions for oral care, tooth whitening, injury repair, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. A total of 76.9% of the patents were filed in association with a company.

The vast majority of the peer-reviewed literature indicated that the positive effects of CBD could be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, biological, and osteoinductive properties. The patents also appeared to depend on these properties to offer technological applications of CBD in dentistry. The dental subjects primarily involved in the literature and patents reviewed were periodontology, oral medicine, and oral surgery and potential technological applications of CBD, and future research challenges included periodontal therapy, oral medicine and adjunct to oral surgery as well as technological applications.

The authors concluded , “Patents available indicate that at present, the interest of industry relies on compositions for oral care products including toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss. There appears to be extensive room available for research and technological applications of CBD in dentistry, especially as far as the lack of clinical trials is concerned.”

Reference

David C, Elizalde-Hernández A, Barboza AS, Cardoso GC, Santos MBF, Moraes RR. Cannabidiol in Dentistry: A Scoping Review. Dent J (Basel). 2022 Oct 17;10(10):193. doi: 10.3390/dj10100193. PMID: 36286003; PMCID: PMC9601225.