Which opioid is commonly used for moderate to severe dental pain?

• A. Morphine
• B. Hydromorphone
• C. Codeine
• D. Oxycodone

Answer: (C)

When dental pain is moderate to severe, you want an opioid that provides strong, reliable relief. Codeine’s effectiveness varies a lot between people because it has to be converted into morphine by the body, and it can hit a ceiling where increasing the dose doesn’t add much pain relief. That variability makes it less dependable for stronger pain. Oxycodone, on the other hand, offers more consistent and potent analgesia when an opioid is needed, which is why it’s a common choice for moderate to severe dental pain, often alone or with acetaminophen. Morphine and hydromorphone are even stronger and used for more intense pain, but oxycodone is the typical go-to in many dental prescriptions due to its balance of potency and practical effectiveness. Remember to start with nonopioid options when possible and use the lowest effective dose if an opioid is necessary.