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Electro-acupuncture efficacy on pain control after mandibular third molar surgery
Marconi Gonzaga Tavares1, Ana Paula Machado, Breno Gutierrez Motta
1Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Brazilian Dental Journal
|November 6, 2007
Summary
Electro-acupuncture (EAC) effectively manages postoperative pain following mandibular third molar surgery. This therapy significantly reduced pain scores and analgesic consumption in patients, demonstrating its clinical efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Dental Surgery
- Pain Management
- Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Postoperative pain is a common complication after mandibular third molar surgery.
- Effective pain management strategies are crucial for patient recovery and satisfaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of electro-acupuncture (EAC) in controlling postoperative pain after mandibular third molar extraction.
- To compare pain levels and analgesic intake between EAC treatment and no treatment groups.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 24 patients undergoing bilateral mandibular third molar surgery.
- EAC was applied pre- and post-operatively on one side, while the contralateral side served as a control.
- Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and analgesic intake was recorded over 72 hours.
Main Results:
- Patients receiving EAC exhibited significantly lower VAS pain scores compared to the control group (p<0.05).
- Analgesic consumption was significantly reduced in the EAC group across all evaluated periods (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Electro-acupuncture is an effective method for managing postoperative pain following mandibular third molar surgery.
- EAC therapy offers a viable non-pharmacological approach to reduce pain and opioid reliance after dental procedures.