[Studies on pain suppression by means of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)]

TENS is used in many fields of medicine to provide safe and effective pain relief, yet the application of this technique to dentistry remains almost unexplored. In this study the effects of TENS at various stimulation frequencies on pulpal sensitivity to electrical vitality testing and to cavity preparation were investigated. Pulpal sensitivity to electric vitality testing was reduced by approximately 14% after TENS, with no significant differences between individual stimulation frequencies. During cavity preparation, TENS eliminated or minimised pain in approximately 67% of treatments, the best results being obtained under TENS at 99 Hz (the highest frequency investigated). Patients preferred high-frequency TENS because of the accompanying sensations of warmth and relaxation.