Evaluation of low-level laser at auriculotherapy points to reduce postoperative pain in inferior third molar surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A comfortable postoperative return to daily activities has increased the need to control inflammation after third molar surgery. Anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are not exempt from adverse effects such as allergies and chronic gastritis, and they are not without cost. The association between low-level laser and auricular acupuncture can be an alternative when conventional drugs are contraindicated. Among its advantages, we can mention the low risk of side effects, low cost and simplicity of application. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of low-level laser at auriculotherapy points in reducing postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery. METHODS/DESIGN: Ninety bilateral, symmetrical lower third molar surgeries will be performed in 45 healthy patients. Each patient will be their own control, through a split-mouth crossover study. One side of the mouth will be randomly chosen and, immediately after surgery, will be treated with low-level laser. After 21 days, the contralateral side will be operated on with low-level laser simulation used postoperatively. This regimen (laser application or not) will be repeated at 24 and 48 h after surgery. All patients will be requested to take analgesics (acetaminophen) if they have pain, i.e. in case of pain. Neither the surgeon nor the patients will know the assigned treatment. The primary variable will be postoperative pain assessed using a Visual Analog Scale, and the secondary variables will be trismus, edema, local temperature, dysphagia, presence of infection and painkiller ingestion. These variables will be assessed at baseline, 24 h, 48 h and 7 days after surgery. Blood samples for systemic inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8) analysis will be assessed at baseline and 24 h after surgery. DISCUSSION: Some authors believe that using a wavelength of 633 to 670 nm is a good option for laser therapy in the field of acupuncture. This wavelength can penetrate biological tissue to a depth of about 3 mm. However, for auriculotherapy points, the stimulus (mustard seeds, needles 1 to 2.5 mm) does not penetrate so deeply. For this reason, we chose a laser wavelength of 660 nm (red wavelength). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02657174 , registered on 11 January 2016.

[TEAS for prevention and treatment of orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutanclus electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on prevention and treatment of orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 85 patients of malocclusions in the preliminary diagnosis were randomly divided into a control group (20 cases), a psychological intervention group (22 cases), a medication group (20 cases) and a TEAS group (23 cases). Orthodontics treatment was given in all the groups. Patients in the control group received no further treatment; patients in the psychological intervention group received comprehensive psychological intervention, including cognitive education and music therapy; patients in the medication group received oral administration of ibuprofen; patients in the TEAS group received TEAS at Juliao (ST 3), Jiachengjiang (Extra) and auricular point Ya (LO1). The treatment was given twice a day, one in morning and one at night, for 7 days. The pain scores of orthodontic toothache and changes of oral dysfunction were observed in all groups. RESULTS: (1) At 5 time points from the 12th hour to the 4th day, the scores of spontaneous pain in TEAS group were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.01); during the time points, the scores in TEAS group were lower than those in the psychological intervention group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), which were similar to those in the medication group (all P > 0.05). (2) During the peak cycle of spontaneous toothache, the scores of irritation pain in TEAS group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P < O.01), regardless of time-point statistics or general statistics; the scores of irritation pain in the TEAS group were also significantly lower than those in the psychological intervention group (all P < 0.01), which were similar to those in the medication group (all P > 0. 05). (3) Compared with control group, the grading of talking disorder in the remaining groups did not change significantly (P > 0.05). (4) Compared with control group, the grading of moderate-severe eating disorder in TEAS group was significantly reduced (P < O.05), which was not different from that in the medication group (P > 0.05). The differences of the grading of moderate-severe eating disorder were not significantly different between the psychological intervention group and control group (P > 0.05). (5) There were 3 cases of digestive system adverse reactions in the medication group. CONCLUSION: TEAS can efficiently prevent orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction, which is superior to psychological intervention and similar to medication. In addition, it can avoid possible side-effect of medication.

[Preventive and therapeutic effects of TEAS on rabbits with orthodontic toothache].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the action mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on prevention and treatment of orthodontic toothache. METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group, an orthodontic group and a TEAS group, 8 rabbits in each one. The orthodontic model of rabbit was made in orthodontic group and TEAS group by bonding brackets and fixing NI-TI screw with ligature wire. After model establishment, the TEAS group was treated with TEAS at ashi points (skin surface corresponding points to the bilateral upper 1st molars) and "Hegu" (LI 4) with dilatational wave, 20 min per treatment, twice a day, totally 2-day consecutive treatment (4 treatments) was provided. The rabbit general behavior, total food intake and threshold of pain were observed; the contents of serum prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as well as endorphin (ß-EP) fluid and cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the orthodontic group, the rabbit general behavior, total food intake and threshold of pain in the TEAS group were significantly improved (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum PGE2 were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while GM-CSF presented reducing trend without statistical significance (P>0.05). The ß-EP in the CSF were increased (P<0.05), while CCK-8 in CSF presented reducing trend without statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The preventive and therapeutic effects of TEAS on rabbits with orthodontic toothache are achieved by reducing algogenic substance PGE2 in peripheral nervous system selectively, increasing ß-EP in CSF in central nervous system and keeping the level of anti-opioid pain maintaining substance CCK-8.Both the central and peripheral nervous systems participate in the analgesic effect of TEAS.

[Choice of local anesthetic volume at the infiltration anesthesia on the upper jaw].

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of volume and pressure, at which the solution of local anesthetic is injected into the tissue, on the effectiveness of infiltration anesthesia of the periosteum on the upper jaw. We used the technique of tooth pain sensitivity thresholds. According to the rate of development and the duration of the maximum analgesia effect, the optimum volume for different levels of pressure was determined. The influence of the tissue density at the injection site on the effect criteria of analgesia was demonstrated.

Avaliação da influência do laser de baixa intensidade na movimentação ortodôntica e supressão da dor / Influence of low-level laser irradiation on orthodontic movement and pain level

Analisou-se a velocidade de movimentação ortodôntica e sensibilidade dolorosa de caninos superiores e inferiores submetidos à irradiação com o laser de baixa intensidade (LBI) em dose única mensal, comparados aos caninos contralaterais não irradiados (controle). Foram selecionados 11 indivíduos, portadores de má oclusão de Classe I com indicação de extração dos primeiros pré-molares superiores e inferiores. O laser de baixa intensidade foi aplicado após a ativação da retração inicial dos caninos, realizada através de mola Niti com uma força de 150g. A aplicação do laser foi realizada em 10 pontos (5 por vestibular e 5 por lingual) nos caninos superiores e inferiores, utilizando o seguinte protocolo: Canino inferior por vestibular e lingual e canino superior por vestibular: Potência de 40mW; densidade de energia de 10J/cm2; 10 segundos por ponto; energia por ponto de 0,4J, uma energia total de aplicação de 4J para o canino inferior e 2J por vestibular dos caninos superiores e para o canino superior por palatino o protocolo foi: Potência de 70mW; densidade de energia de 35J/cm2; 20 segundos por ponto; 1,4J de energia por ponto, energia total de 7J. A retração durou 3 meses, num total de 3 aplicações de laser. Foi obtido um par de modelo de gesso inicial após as extrações dentárias e mensalmente antes da aplicação do laser que posteriormente foram escaneados com scanner 3Shape Ortho SystemTM "(3ShapeTM Copenhagen, Dinamarca) e as imagens tridimensionais avaliadas por meio do software OrthoAnalyzer (3Shape) para mensuração da quantidade de movimentação dos caninos retraídos. Os pacientes preencheram uma escala visual após 12, 24, 48 e 72 horas da ativação da retração inicial dos caninos para avaliação da sensibilidade dolorosa. Para comparação da velocidade da movimentação ortodôntica e o nível de dor entre os lados irradiado e não irradiado nos três períodos avaliados, foi utilizado a Análise de Variância a um critério de medidas repetidas...

It was analyzed the orthodontic tooth movement and painful sensibility of maxilary and mandibular canine teeth submitted to irradiation with low-level laser (LLL) in an only monthly dose, compared to the non-irradiated contralateral canines (control). Eleven individuals with Class I malocclusion with indication of extraction of the first maxillary and mandibular premolars were selected. The low-level laser was applied after the activation of initial retraction of the canine teeth, performed with Niti coil springs with force of 150g. The laser application was performed in 10 points (5 buccal and 5 lingual) in the maxillary and mandibular canines, using the following protocol: Mandibular canine buccal and lingual and maxillary canine buccal: 40mW power; an energy density of 10 J/cm2; 10 seconds per point; energy per point 0,4J, a total energy of 4J applying to the mandibular canine and 2J the buccal of the maxillary canines and maxillary canine palatally: 70mW of power; an energy density of 35J/cm2; 20 seconds per point; 1,4J energy per point, the total energy 7J. The retraction lasted three months, a total of three laser applications. It was obtained a couple of dental casts after dental extractions and monthly model before applying the laser which were subsequently scanned with scanner "3Shape's Ortho SystemTM" (3ShapeTM - Copenhagen, Denmark) and three-dimensional images evaluated through OrthoAnalyzer software (3Shape) to measure the amount of movement of canines retracted. Patients completed a visual scale after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of initial activation of canine retraction for evaluation of pain sensitivity. To compare the speed of orthodontic tooth movement and the level of pain between the irradiated and non-irradiated sides at the three movement stages, repeated measures one-way analysis of variance was used. In all tests we adopted a significance level of 5%. The results showed statistically significant difference between the amount...

Avaliação da influência do laser de baixa intensidade na movimentação ortodôntica e supressão da dor / Influence of low-level laser irradiation on orthodontic movement and pain level

Analisou-se a velocidade de movimentação ortodôntica e sensibilidade dolorosa de caninos superiores e inferiores submetidos à irradiação com o laser de baixa intensidade (LBI) em dose única mensal, comparados aos caninos contralaterais não irradiados (controle). Foram selecionados 11 indivíduos, portadores de má oclusão de Classe I com indicação de extração dos primeiros pré-molares superiores e inferiores. O laser de baixa intensidade foi aplicado após a ativação da retração inicial dos caninos, realizada através de mola Niti com uma força de 150g. A aplicação do laser foi realizada em 10 pontos (5 por vestibular e 5 por lingual) nos caninos superiores e inferiores, utilizando o seguinte protocolo: Canino inferior por vestibular e lingual e canino superior por vestibular: Potência de 40mW; densidade de energia de 10J/cm2; 10 segundos por ponto; energia por ponto de 0,4J, uma energia total de aplicação de 4J para o canino inferior e 2J por vestibular dos caninos superiores e para o canino superior por palatino o protocolo foi: Potência de 70mW; densidade de energia de 35J/cm2; 20 segundos por ponto; 1,4J de energia por ponto, energia total de 7J. A retração durou 3 meses, num total de 3 aplicações de laser. Foi obtido um par de modelo de gesso inicial após as extrações dentárias e mensalmente antes da aplicação do laser que posteriormente foram escaneados com scanner 3Shape Ortho SystemTM "(3ShapeTM Copenhagen, Dinamarca) e as imagens tridimensionais avaliadas por meio do software OrthoAnalyzer (3Shape) para mensuração da quantidade de movimentação dos caninos retraídos. Os pacientes preencheram uma escala visual após 12, 24, 48 e 72 horas da ativação da retração inicial dos caninos para avaliação da sensibilidade dolorosa. Para comparação da velocidade da movimentação ortodôntica e o nível de dor entre os lados irradiado e não irradiado nos três períodos avaliados, foi utilizado a Análise de Variância a um critério de medidas repetidas...

It was analyzed the orthodontic tooth movement and painful sensibility of maxilary and mandibular canine teeth submitted to irradiation with low-level laser (LLL) in an only monthly dose, compared to the non-irradiated contralateral canines (control). Eleven individuals with Class I malocclusion with indication of extraction of the first maxillary and mandibular premolars were selected. The low-level laser was applied after the activation of initial retraction of the canine teeth, performed with Niti coil springs with force of 150g. The laser application was performed in 10 points (5 buccal and 5 lingual) in the maxillary and mandibular canines, using the following protocol: Mandibular canine buccal and lingual and maxillary canine buccal: 40mW power; an energy density of 10 J/cm2; 10 seconds per point; energy per point 0,4J, a total energy of 4J applying to the mandibular canine and 2J the buccal of the maxillary canines and maxillary canine palatally: 70mW of power; an energy density of 35J/cm2; 20 seconds per point; 1,4J energy per point, the total energy 7J. The retraction lasted three months, a total of three laser applications. It was obtained a couple of dental casts after dental extractions and monthly model before applying the laser which were subsequently scanned with scanner "3Shape's Ortho SystemTM" (3ShapeTM - Copenhagen, Denmark) and three-dimensional images evaluated through OrthoAnalyzer software (3Shape) to measure the amount of movement of canines retracted. Patients completed a visual scale after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of initial activation of canine retraction for evaluation of pain sensitivity. To compare the speed of orthodontic tooth movement and the level of pain between the irradiated and non-irradiated sides at the three movement stages, repeated measures one-way analysis of variance was used. In all tests we adopted a significance level of 5%. The results showed statistically significant difference between the amount...

Avaliação da influência do laser de baixa intensidade como recurso de ancoragem ortodôntica e na supressão da dor / The effects of low laser to promote orthodontic anchorage and inhibition of pain

Este estudo investigou os efeitos do laser em baixa intensidade na movimentação ortodôntica com a intenção de promover a ancoragem e a inibição da dor pós-ativação, bem como a verificação da preservação da integridade tecidual. A amostra constou de um total de 74 molares e pré-molares superiores e inferiores que serviram de ancoragem na fase de retração inicial de caninos realizada com molas de NiTi, com força de 150g. Um dos molares/pré-molares escolhido aleatoriamente foi irradiado com laser de diodo (LI), seguindo o seguinte protocolo de aplicação: 780mm/70mW/105J/cm2/4,2J por ponto/Et= 42J para os molares e 42J para os prémolares nos dias 0, 7 e 14 pós-ativação, sendo que o contralateral foi considerado placebo (LNI). A retração durou em média 3 meses, num total de 9 aplicações de laser. Utilizou-se modelos de gesso e tomografias computadorizadas do feixe cônico (TCFC) para a verificação da perda de ancoragem dos molares. Os modelos adquiridos a cada mês foram medidos com paquímetro digital e as tomografias adquiridas nos tempos iniciais (T0) e finais (T4) foram analisadas por meio da análise 3D (Radiomemory). Nas tomografias foi também avaliada uma possível reabsorção na crista óssea alveolar (CA), por meio da distância desta (CA) até a junção cementoesmalte (JCE), comparando-se T0 e T4 e a quantidade de reabsorção radicular, por meio da diferença de comprimento radicular inicial e final. Para avaliação da sintomatologia dolorosa comparando-se o LI e o LNI foi utilizado uma escala visual analógica após 12, 24, 48 e 72 horas após a irradiação, na qual os pacientes marcavam de 0 a 10 em consonância com a dor experimentada. Para os modelos, empregou-se a análise da variância a dois critérios e a um critério, seguido pelo teste de Tukey, em seguida aplicou-se o teste t pareado, para a mensuração da diferença total comparando-se o lado irradiado (LI) com o lado não irradiado (LNI). Para as tomografias na comparação entre os tempos T0 e T4 da perda de...

This study investigated the effects of low level laser in orthodontic movement, aiming to promote anchorage and inhibition of pain after activation, as well as to analyze the maintenance of tissue integrity after utilization of laser and orthodontic movement. The sample was composed of 74 maxillary and mandibular molars and premolars that served as anchorage in the initial retraction stage of canines, performed with NiTi coil springs with force of 150g. One of the randomly selected molars/premolars was irradiated with diode laser (LI), according to the following application protocol: 780mm/70mW/105J/cm2/4.2J per point/Et= 42J for molars and 42J for premolars at days 0, 7 and 14 after activation, and the contralateral tooth was considered as (LNI). The retraction lasted 3 months in the average, adding up to 9 laser applications. Dental casts and cone beam computed tomographies (CBCT) were evaluated to analyze the anchorage loss of molars. The dental casts obtained every month were measured with a digital pachymeter and the tomographies obtained at initial (T0) and final periods (T4) were assessed by 3D analysis (Radiomemory). The tomographies were also assessed to evaluate a possible resorption of the alveolar bone crest (CA), by measuring the distance between it (CA) and the cementoenamel junction (JCE), comparing T0 and T4 and the quantity of root resorption, by the difference between the initial and final root lengths. The painful symptomatology was analyzed by comparison of LI and LNI using a visual analogue scale after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours, in which the patients indicated from 0 to 10 according to the pain experienced. For the dental casts, two-way and one-way analysis of variance were applied, followed by the Tukey test and then by the paired t test, for measurement of the total difference comparing the irradiated (LI) and non-irradiated (LNI) sides. The paired t test was applied for comparison between periods T0 and T4 of anchorage loss...

Complementary and alternative medicine usage by patients of a dental school clinic.

This pilot study investigated the prevalence and specific reasons for usage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients of a dental school clinic. Four hundred and two patients completed a 30-page survey on CAM usage. A higher rate of CAM usage was found in this dental school clinic population than rates previously reported in a general population. More than three-quarters (76.1%) of the respondents reported using at least one CAM treatment in the past 12 months; 93.3% reported using at least one CAM treatment at some time in their lives. High rates of chiropractic use were found in this population. Tooth pain was the most frequently reported dental condition motivating CAM use. About 10% of dental school clinic patients use topical oral herbal and/or natural products to treat dental conditions, most frequently for preventive/oral health reasons or for tooth pain.

A prospective study of the factors affecting outcomes of nonsurgical root canal treatment: part 1: periapical health.

AIM: To investigate the probability of and factors influencing periapical status of teeth following primary (1°RCTx) or secondary (2°RCTx) root canal treatment. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study involved annual clinical and radiographic follow-up of 1°RCTx (1170 roots, 702 teeth and 534 patients) or 2°RCTx (1314 roots, 750 teeth and 559 patients) carried out by Endodontic postgraduate students for 2-4 (50%) years. Pre-, intra- and postoperative data were collected prospectively on customized forms. The proportion of roots with complete periapical healing was estimated, and prognostic factors were investigated using multiple logistic regression models. Clustering effects within patients were adjusted in all models using robust standard error. RESULTS: proportion of roots with complete periapical healing after 1°RCTx (83%; 95% CI: 81%, 85%) or 2°RCTx (80%; 95% CI: 78%, 82%) were similar. Eleven prognostic factors were identified. The conditions that were found to improve periapical healing significantly were: the preoperative absence of a periapical lesion (P = 0.003); in presence of a periapical lesion, the smaller its size (P ≤ 0.001), the better the treatment prognosis; the absence of a preoperative sinus tract (P = 0.001); achievement of patency at the canal terminus (P = 0.001); extension of canal cleaning as close as possible to its apical terminus (P = 0.001); the use of ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution as a penultimate wash followed by final rinse with NaOCl solution in 2°RCTx cases (P = 0.002); abstaining from using 2% chlorexidine as an adjunct irrigant to NaOCl solution (P = 0.01); absence of tooth/root perforation (P = 0.06); absence of interappointment flare-up (pain or swelling) (P =0.002); absence of root-filling extrusion (P ≤ 0.001); and presence of a satisfactory coronal restoration (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Success based on periapical health associated with roots following 1°RCTx (83%) or 2°RCTx (80%) was similar, with 10 factors having a common effect on both, whilst the 11th factor 'EDTA as an additional irrigant' had different effects on the two treatments.

Acción analgésica de la digitopuntura previa al tratamiento estomatológico convencional en las pulpitis agudas / Analgesic action of digitopuncture previous to the conventional stomatological treatment in acute pulpitis

Los pacientes con pulpitis aguda, producto al dolor que las caracteriza, en ocasiones no permiten realizar un tratamiento endodóntico de urgencia satisfactorio. Objetivo: evaluar la acción analgésica de la digitopuntura previo al tratamiento estomatológico convencional en las pulpitis agudas. Método: se realizó un estudio de evaluación, cuasi-experimental de tipo antes y después, en la consulta de urgencias estomatológica del policlínico Previsora desde septiembre de 2008 hasta abril de 2009, el universo de estudio se conformó por los pacientes que acudieron a la consulta con dolor producido por pulpitis aguda, la muestra quedó se integró por 40 pacientes que no habían recibido tratamiento previo. Se evaluó la intensidad del dolor a los 30min y se valoró la cooperación del paciente durante el tratamiento convencional. Resultados: en el 90 por ciento de los casos se evaluó como eficaz el tratamiento realizado y los pacientes refirieron sentirse satisfechos (AU)

Patients with acute pulpitis caused to the pain that characterizes it, in occasions allow carrying out a satisfactory endodontic treatment of urgency. Objective: to evaluate the analgesic action of digitopuncture previous to the conventional stomatological treatment in acute pulpitis. Method: a before and after type quasi-experimental, evaluation study was performed, in the stomatological urgency consultation at Previsora polyclinic from September 2008 to April 2009, the study universe was conformed by patients that came to the consultation with pain caused by acute pulpitis and the sample was integrated by 40 patients who had not received previous treatment. The intensity of pain was evaluated to 30 minutes and patient's cooperation was valued during the conventional treatment. Results: in 90 percent of cases was evaluated as effective the treatment carried out and patients referred to feel satisfied with the treatment received (90 percent) (AU)

Acción analgésica de la digitopuntura previa al tratamiento estomatológico convencional en las pulpitis agudas / Analgesic action of digitopuncture previous to the conventional stomatological treatment in acute pulpitis

Los pacientes con pulpitis aguda, producto al dolor que las caracteriza, en ocasiones no permiten realizar un tratamiento endodóntico de urgencia satisfactorio. Objetivo: evaluar la acción analgésica de la digitopuntura previo al tratamiento estomatológico convencional en las pulpitis agudas. Método: se realizó un estudio de evaluación, cuasi-experimental de tipo antes y después, en la consulta de urgencias estomatológica del policlínico Previsora desde septiembre de 2008 hasta abril de 2009, el universo de estudio se conformó por los pacientes que acudieron a la consulta con dolor producido por pulpitis aguda, la muestra quedó se integró por 40 pacientes que no habían recibido tratamiento previo. Se evaluó la intensidad del dolor a los 30min y se valoró la cooperación del paciente durante el tratamiento convencional. Resultados: en el 90 por ciento de los casos se evaluó como eficaz el tratamiento realizado y los pacientes refirieron sentirse satisfechos.

Patients with acute pulpitis caused to the pain that characterizes it, in occasions allow carrying out a satisfactory endodontic treatment of urgency. Objective: to evaluate the analgesic action of digitopuncture previous to the conventional stomatological treatment in acute pulpitis. Method: a before and after type quasi-experimental, evaluation study was performed, in the stomatological urgency consultation at Previsora polyclinic from September 2008 to April 2009, the study universe was conformed by patients that came to the consultation with pain caused by acute pulpitis and the sample was integrated by 40 patients who had not received previous treatment. The intensity of pain was evaluated to 30 minutes and patient's cooperation was valued during the conventional treatment. Results: in 90 percent of cases was evaluated as effective the treatment carried out and patients referred to feel satisfied with the treatment received (90 percent).

Effects of acupuncture on c-Fos expression in brain after noxious tooth stimulation of the rat.

Clinically, acupuncture therapy is useful for the control of acute or chronic pain. This study was designed to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanism of acupuncture and the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular reflex elicited by toothache. Expression of c-Fos, a neuronal activation marker, and the phenylethanalamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) were examined 1.5 hours after noxious intrapulpal tooth stimulation. Manual acupuncture was performed 20 min before noxious intrapulpal stimulation by 2 M KCl injection into upper or lower anterior tooth pulp. The acupuncture points were Li4 (Hegu) between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones or St36 (Zusanli) between the anterior crest of the tibial tuberosity and the fibula head below the patella. After noxious intrapulpal tooth stimulation, Fos-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were identified in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) and the transitional region between the subnucleus caudalis and the subnucleus interpolaris (Vi), in the inferior olivory nucleus (IO) connecting the cerebellum and other brain regions, and also the thalamic ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus and centrolateral (CL) nucleus, respectively. In addition, Fos-IR neurons were found in the central cardiovasuclar regulation centers, such as the hypothalamus supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and rostral ventromedulla (RVLM). All acupuncture at St36 or Li4 significantly suppressed Fos-IR neurons in all Fos-expressed brain areas except the IO nucleus and attenuated the increases in arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) after noxious intrapulpal stimulation. Its Fos-suppressive effects were mostly blocked by naloxone, an opioid antagonist. In addition, acupuncture at St36 or Li4 significantly decreased Fos-containing PNMT, and this effect was also reversed by naloxone. These results suggest that: 1) tooth pulpal noxious signals transmit to the Vc and Vc/Vi transitional region and the 2nd afferent neuron synapse in the thalamic VPM and CL, 2) tooth pulpal pain elicits cardiovascular reflex mediated by NTS, VLM, hypothalamic SON and PVN, and 3) acupuncture reduces cardiovascular reflex elicited by toothache, is associated with the adrenergic system.

The relationship of intracanal medicaments to postoperative pain in endodontics.

AIM: To investigate the relationship of postoperative pain to three different medicaments placed in the root canal after a complete biomechanical debridement of the root canal system in patients presenting for emergency relief of pain. METHODOLOGY: Two hundred and twenty-three teeth belonging to 221 patients presenting as emergencies to the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne were included in the study. Inclusion was limited to patients with a diagnosis of pulp necrosis and acute apical periodontitis. All teeth underwent conventional root canal treatment, which involved the instrumentation to the apices of each canal at the first visit. Canals were instrumented using a stepback technique and hand-files along with irrigants using Milton's (1% sodium hypochlorite) solution followed by 15% EDTAC. The canals were dried and one of the following three medicaments was inserted into the canal in random sequence: Group 1: Ledermix paste (Lederle Pharmaceuticals, Division of Cyanamid, Wolfratshausen, Germany); Group 2: calcium hydroxide paste (Calcipulpe, Septodont, France); and Group 3: no dressing. Before dismissal, the preoperative pain experienced on the previous night was recorded using a visual analogue pain scale. Patients were then instructed to record the degree of pain experienced 4 h after treatment and daily for a further 4 days. RESULTS: The mean score pain for all three groups was between 42 and 48 prior to treatment being commenced. After 4 days, the pain score for Group 2 was 10, for Group 3 was 7 and for Group 1 was 4. Mean preoperative pain level was 44.4 (of a maximum 100) for all groups, and declined by 50% (to 22.1) after 24 h. Patients in Group 1 (Ledermix) experienced significantly less (P = 0.04) postoperative pain than those in the other two groups. There was no significant difference between Group 2 (calcium hydroxide) and Group 3 (no dressing). CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, painful teeth with acute apical periodontitis that had been dressed with Ledermix paste gave rise to less pain than that experienced by patients who had a dressing of calcium hydroxide or no dressing at all. Ledermix is an effective intracanal medicament for the control of postoperative pain associated with acute apical periodontitis, with a rapid onset of pain reduction.

Dental self-care among dentate adults: contrasting problem-oriented dental attenders and regular dental attenders.

Self-care behaviors are common and can act as substitutes for or supplements to formal health care services. We tested the hypothesis that problem-oriented dental attenders (POAs) report more dental self-care behaviors than do regular dental attenders (RAs), presumably as a substitute for professional care. The Florida Dental Care Study is a longitudinal cohort study of changes in oral health, in which we measured dental self-care behaviors related to three common dental problems: toothache pain, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. Despite using less dental care, POAs were less likely to report "conventional" methods as means to prevent the three dental problems; however, they were more likely to report that homemade remedies, topical medications, or mouthwashes were ways to prevent or treat these problems. POAs were also more likely to believe that "nothing can be done" to prevent these problems. Additionally, POAs had more negative dental attitudes, used less dental care during follow-up, had more dental disease, were the only persons who extracted at least one of their own teeth, and were more likely to use tobacco. With the exception of dental self-extractions, no single self-care belief or behavior distinguished POAs from RAs, nor were POAs likely to have different explanations for dental problems. Instead, the pattern was one of modest differences on a number of items. Although POAs use less dental care, they do not compensate by employing more "conventional" dental self-care behaviors, but report being more likely to employ "unconventional" behaviors. They also are more likely to believe that nothing can be done to prevent dental problems.

Clinical evaluation of transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation for pain control during tooth preparation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit. The effects of electronic dental anesthesia and local anesthesia for deep cavity preparations in primary molars were compared in children aged 7 to 9 years by using the Eland Color Scale. The patients had symmetric teeth requiring Class I cavity preparation. One of the teeth was treated with electronic anesthesia and the other with local anesthesia. The tooth and method were selected randomly. Both restorations were finished at the same visit. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the perception of pain. Fifty-six percent of the children preferred transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, while 36% of them preferred local anesthesia.

An evaluation of a pre-scaling gel (SofScale) on the ease of supragingival calculus removal.

SofScale is a pre-scaling gel, containing disodium EDTA and sodium lauryl sulphate, which is claimed to soften calculus and therefore facilitate its removal. 31 subjects were treated in a double blind randomised placebo controlled split mouth study to evaluate this product. Test or placebo gels were applied to the lingual surfaces of the mandibular teeth for 4 min and the time taken to complete the removal of supragingival calculus recorded. The operator recorded on which side the calculus was considered easier to remove and the patient indicated how comfortable the scaling had been. The mean calculus index was 1.99 for the SofScale group and 1.97 for the placebo. The mean time taken to complete scaling was 5.31 min for both groups. Using the Student t-test, there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.7) between either the calculus index or time taken to complete the scaling between the groups. The operator did not consider SofScale to facilitate calculus removal and patients did not find calculus removal more comfortable when SofScale had been used. There was no increased sensitivity in the SofScale group following scaling. The results of this study do not support the use of SofScale as an adjunct to scaling.

Influence of naloxone on electro-acupuncture analgesia using an experimental dental pain test. Review of possible mechanisms of action.

The purpose of this study was to examine in man the analgesic effect of non-segmental electroacupuncture (EA) limited to a single point (Hoku hand point) and the influence of naloxone using an original modified electrical dental pain test. Results in the literature are still contradictory as to the degree and specificity of acupuncture analgesia and its opioid nature. Acupuncture techniques as well as experimental pain models are factors accounting for the discrepancies in the results. For this reason, we designed an experimental pain test characterized by a high degree of specificity, validity and reliability. We chose optimal conditions for eliciting specific acupuncture effect, i.e. non-segmental, low frequency and painful intensity range. A cross-over repeated measure experimental design was used. Five normal trained subjects participated in 65 sessions under four conditions (control, EA, EA+naloxone, EA+placebo). Changes in experimental dental pain thresholds served as indices of analgesia. The results indicated a 27% pain threshold increase after 30 minutes of EA stimulation (p less than .0001), with no differential effect between pain detection (mild pain sensation) and pain discomfort (strong pain sensation). This increase was partially blocked by the double blind injection of 0.8 mg naloxone IM (p less than .005). The experiment was designed in such a way as to prevent the occurrence of a stress analgesic effect. The endogenous opioid system was shown to be partially involved in acupuncture analgesia. Other mechanisms of action are discussed in view of the literature findings.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for controlling pain associated with orthodontic tooth movement.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was assessed for its effect on periodontal pain associated with orthodontic separation. Forty-five adult subjects were randomly assigned to a TENS group, a placebo TENS group, and a control group. They were further subdivided into intraoral and extraoral electrode placement, and 1-, 2-, and 3-day treatment duration groups. In each patient orthodontic separators were placed mesial and distal to the upper first molars, bilaterally. Subjects were asked to rate their discomfort every 12 hours for 4 days with a 10 cm visual analogue scale. The results showed a significant decrease in reported pain for those subjects in the TENS group at the 24-, 36-, and 48-hour assessment periods as compared to either the placebo or control group. In the control group postseparation discomfort continued through the 60-hour assessment period. The present study suggests that TENS is an effective nonpharmacologic method of controlling postadjustment tooth pain.

Electroacupuncture increases ipsilaterally tooth pain threshold in man.

The effect of electroacupuncture stimulation applied to a unilateral Ho-ku point on the human tooth pain thresholds was studied by electrically stimulating bilateral canines. In six of ten subjects tested, the tooth pain threshold was elevated ipsilaterally but was unchanged contralaterally during and after the electroacupuncture. In the remaining four, neither the ipsilateral nor the contralateral canine showed any change in the pain threshold by the electroacupuncture. The ipsilateral increase of the tooth pain threshold may be explained by a mechanism by which electroacupuncture stimulation of one Ho-ku point causes various pain suppression centers to release ipsilaterally endogenous opioids.