Investigating how sublingual buprenorphine affects oral health
Official title: Understanding the Association between Sublingual Buprenorphine and Oral Health Outcomes
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10765299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how taking sublingual buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder, might affect your dental health, like causing tooth decay or wear, so we can find ways to help you keep your smile healthy while you're in treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | September 20, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,356,469 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE033318-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10765299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are currently using sublingual buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not using sublingual buprenorphine or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the relationship between sublingual buprenorphine, a common treatment for opioid use disorder, and oral health outcomes. It seeks to understand if and how this medication may contribute to dental issues such as tooth decay and attrition. The study will involve assessing various factors that could influence oral health in adults using buprenorphine, including changes in saliva and the oral microbiome. By identifying these connections, the research hopes to inform better practices and interventions for patients undergoing treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved oral health management strategies for patients using buprenorphine.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on the effects of medications on oral health, this specific investigation into sublingual buprenorphine's impact is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rojas Ramirez, Marcia Vanessa — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Rojas Ramirez, Marcia Vanessa
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Oral health effects of buprenorphine and methadone in people with opioid use disorder
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.