A New Path to Pain Relief: Non-Opioid Options for Oral Surgery Patients

Dr. Michael Yuan is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Florida Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Dunedin, FL.

When approaching an upcoming dental procedure, connecting with your healthcare provider to discuss your pain management options is the first step toward developing a personalized recovery plan. In a recent study, nearly 80% of patients reported moderate to severe pain following oral surgery. And with 5 million Americans undergoing wisdom tooth removal each year, the question of how we manage that pain has never been more important. 

For many years, opioids were the standard option to alleviate surgical pain, but these powerful medications come with less-than-ideal side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and constipation. More importantly, they carry a real risk for long-term dependence, which can lead to more negative outcomes.

As an oral surgeon serving our local community, I believe my responsibility extends far beyond the operating room. I recognize the importance of providing the best possible care for my patients, which includes seeking out innovative solutions that can lead to a smoother recovery experience while reducing the overreliance on opioids. For my patients, both young and old, a better recovery means a shorter pause in their everyday lives and activities. This is why I’ve incorporated non-opioid pain therapies like EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) into my surgical protocols. EXPAREL is a long-acting, non-opioid pain medication administered during surgery to alleviate pain in the first few days after the procedure when pain is at its peak. 

A Safer, Smoother Recovery Experience

To date, I’ve used EXPAREL in about 5,000 surgical procedures, including extractions, implants, and wisdom tooth removals. As a safe and effective alternative to opioids, EXPAREL has become my go-to solution for managing postsurgical pain—and the results have been remarkable. For one, there has been a drastic decline in the number of opioids that I prescribe. Instead, patients are able to manage any residual pain with ice and over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Even patients who have used opioids in the past are surprised by the immediate relief that EXPAREL provides after their procedure. 

During follow-ups, I regularly hear the same feedback from patients: minimal pain, faster return to normal routines, and a better overall recovery experience. As a result, new patients are coming to request EXPAREL after hearing about its benefits from friends and family. That kind of response tells me we’re moving in the right direction—providing a solution that offers essential pain relief, while also eliminating the need for opioids. 

Take Control of Your Recovery 

One thing I always remind my patients is that they have a voice when it comes to their care. When planning for surgery, don’t be afraid to express concerns about pain and advocate for the things that matter most to you. Beyond the actual procedure, my patients are often most interested in returning to their daily activities and events that can’t wait through a long, uncomfortable recovery. In my experience, non-opioid pain therapies like EXPAREL have helped make that possible. That’s why I encourage patients and caregivers to reclaim their voice in the decision-making process and ask their healthcare providers about effective options that support a faster, more comfortable recovery.

For more information, please visit www.EXPAREL.com/risks.

This article is sponsored by Pacira BioSciences, Inc., manufacturer of EXPAREL.

*Dr. Yuan is a consultant of Pacira BioSciences, Inc. This is based on Dr. Yuan’s experiences. Individual patient experiences may vary. 

Indication

EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated to produce postsurgical local analgesia via infiltration in patients aged 6 years and older and regional analgesia in adults via an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa, and an adductor canal block. Safety and efficacy have not been established in other nerve blocks.

Important Safety Information 

EXPAREL should not be used in obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected into a wound, the most common side effects were nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected near a nerve, the most common side effects were nausea, fever, headache, and constipation.

In the study where EXPAREL was given to children, the most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, constipation, low blood pressure, low number of red blood cells, muscle twitching, blurred vision, itching, and rapid heartbeat.

EXPAREL can cause a temporary loss of feeling and/or loss of muscle movement. How much and how long the loss of feeling and/or muscle movement depends on where and how much of EXPAREL was injected and may last for up to 5 days. 

EXPAREL is not recommended to be used in patients younger than 6 years old for injection into the wound, for patients younger than 18 years old for injection near a nerve, and/or in pregnant women.

Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child has liver disease, since this may affect how the active ingredient (bupivacaine) in EXPAREL is eliminated from the body.

EXPAREL should not be injected into the spine, joints, or veins.

The active ingredient in EXPAREL can affect the nervous system and the cardiovascular system; may cause an allergic reaction; may cause damage if injected into the joints; and can cause a rare blood disorder.

Full Prescribing Information is available at https://www.exparel.com/prescribing-information.pdf

For more information, please visit www.EXPAREL.com or call 1-855-793-9727.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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