For one, NO dental issue should require
pain meds for a year. The answer to dental
pain is always to fix the problem.
I'm amazed at how many people (addiction issues or not) think they HAVE to have a narcotic after dental work. I've had extensive dental procedures and have never been Rx'ed a narcotic for pain. Motrin and tylenol always keeps me comfortable. The pain BEFORE a problem is fixed absolutely can be horrible, which again is why the answer is to fix the problem.