Effectiveness of Tens in Pain Management During Restorative Treatment

Abstract

Aim This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in managing pain during restorative dental treatments. Material and method A total of 45 patients aged 18 to 41 were selected for the study. Patients were divided into two groups: 30 patients received active TENS treatment, while 15 received a placebo TENS treatment. TENS was applied for 30 minutes during cavity preparations without the use of local anesthesia. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) immediately after the procedure. Results Among the active TENS group, 28 patients reported no pain during the procedure, while 2 patients experienced moderate pain. In the placebo group, pain levels ranged from 4 to 9 on the VAS. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, revealing a statistically significant difference in pain perception between the active TENS and placebo groups. Conclusion The findings suggest that TENS is effective in reducing pain during restorative dental treatments. The application of TENS could serve as a viable alternative or adjunct to traditional analgesic methods, providing a non-invasive and cost-effective option for pain management in dental procedures. Further research is recommended to explore the broader applications of TENS in dentistry and its long-term efficacy.

Keywords

• Dentistry
• Pain
• Restorative
• TENS
• Treatment

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