Health Who needs opioids? Kathleen Refior HSDM Communications September 10, 2026 5 min read As concerns about misuse persist, paper suggests role for AI in making pain treatment more precise For a patient having their wisdom teeth removed, the days after surgery can bring an important question: How much pain medication will I actually need? Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen provide adequate pain relief for most, but some patients experience breakthrough pain that does not respond to these medications and may benefit from an opioid. For clinicians, the challenge is knowing before surgery which patients will need additional pain relief. Harvard School of Dental M...