Using opioids to treat acute pain can lead to long-term use. According to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the likelihood of long-term use increases based on the length of the initial prescription, increasing sharply after the third and fifth days of taking a prescription and again at day 31.

The American Dental Association's (ADA's) Statement on the Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Dental Pain makes recommendations for dentists about best practices to adopt when prescribing opioids for acute pain. The ADA recommends that dentists utilize a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to promote the appropriate use of controlled substances, and that all practitioners continually review the most current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and State Licensing Boards guidelines for safe opioid prescribing.

The CDC's Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain provides step-by-step guidance that can help you determine whether opioids are necessary and how much you should prescribe. If opioids are indicated according to a specific individual's case, the CDC recommends starting opioid therapy with the lowest effective dosage, which could be as little as three to five dosages. According to the CDC, more than seven days will rarely be needed.