Evaluation of Acupuncture as a Modality in Pain Relief in Three Dental Procedures: An Interventional study.

INTRODUCTION: Pain is an unpleasant experience that motivates the patient to seek dental care. After rendering necessary treatment to treat pain, analgesics like NSAIDS (Non steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs), opioids are prescribed to provide symptomatic relief. But analgesic intake can cause a host of undesirable side effects such as gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, headache, and the risk of adverse effects increases with the prolonged and inadvertent use causing permanent damage to liver and kidneys. The routine dental procedures which normally require prescription of analgesics after treatment include 1. Dental extraction 2. Endodontic treatment 3. Fixed Orthodontic treatment Acupuncture, one of the ancient alternative therapeutic modes for the treatment of various conditions such as headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, sinusitis, toothache has been proven effective in controlling pain especially post operative pain in dentistry, in previous studies. AIM: To determine the effectiveness of acupuncture as a modality in pain relief in three dental procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised of 183 patients, indicated for extractions, endodontic treatment, and fixed orthodontic treatment as well as those reporting with post operative pain after the above mentioned treatment procedures. Study samples are categorized into three groups and two subgroups based on their need of pain control. The study procedure was explained and informed consent obtained from the patients. Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional review board. Demographic profile, detailed history of pain, medical history, dental history, and drug history was recorded using a standardized case record. Immediately after the above mentioned dental procedures, acupuncture treatment was performed for 20 minutes with manual stimulation at 0, 10, and 20 minutes. Pain assessment at baseline and after acupuncture intervention is done using visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients were asked to report the duration of pain free ...