Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) in dentistry- A review

Vikrant Kasat, Aditi Gupta, Ruchi Ladda, Mitesh Kathariya, Harish Saluja, Anjum-Ara Farooqui, Vikrant Kasat, Aditi Gupta, Ruchi Ladda, Mitesh Kathariya, Harish Saluja, Anjum-Ara Farooqui

Abstract

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-pharmacological method which is widely used by medical and paramedical professionals for the management of acute and chronic pain in a variety of conditions. Similarly, it can be utilized for the management of pain during various dental procedures as well as pain due to various conditions affecting maxillofacial region. This review aims to provide an insight into clinical research evidence available for the analgesic and non analgesic uses of TENS in pediatric as well as adult patients related to the field of dentistry. Also, an attempt is made to briefly discuss history of therapeutic electricity, mechanism of action of TENS, components of TENs equipment, types, techniques of administration, advantages and contradictions of TENS. With this we hope to raise awareness among dental fraternity regarding its dental applications thereby increasing its use in dentistry. Key words:Dentistry, pain, TENS.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement:The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
a) AC adapter; b) 9V battery; c) TENS unit; d) Lead wires; e)Electrodes.

References

    1. Radhakrishnan R, King EW, Dickman JK, Herold CA, Johnston NF, Spurgin ML. Spinal 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors mediate low, but not high, frequency TENS-induced antihyperalgesia in rats. Pain. 2003;105:205–13.
    1. Katch EM. Application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in dentistry. Anesth Prog. 1986;33:156–60.
    1. Banerjee G, Johnson MI. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): A potential intervention for pain management in India? Indian J Pain. 2013;27:132–41.
    1. Dhindsa A, Pandit IK, Srivastav N, Gugnani N. Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of electronic dental anaesthesia with 2% lignocaine in various minor pediatric dental procedures: a clinical study. Contemp Clin Dent. 2011;2:27–30.
    1. Malamed SF, Quinn CL, Torgersen RT, Thompson W. Electronic dental anesthesia for restorative dentistry. Anesth Prog. 1989;36:195–8.
    1. Quarnstrom F. Electronic dental anesthesia. Anesth Prog. 1992;39:162–77.
    1. Melzack R, Wall PD. Pain mechanism: a new theory. Science. 1965;150:971–9.
    1. Reynolds DV. Surgery in the rat during electrical analgesia induced by focal electrical stimulation. Science. 1969;164:444–5.
    1. Sluka KA, Deacon M, Stibal A, Strissel S, Terpstra A. Spinal blockade of opioid receptors prevents the analgesia produced by TENS in arthritic rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999;289:840–6.
    1. Sluka KA, Walsh D. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: basic science mechanisms and clinical effectiveness. J Pain. 2003;4:109–21.
    1. Kalra A, Urban MO, Sluka KA. Blockade of opioid receptors in rostral ventral medulla prevents antihyperalgesia produced by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001;298:257–63.
    1. Yap AU, Ho HC. Electronic and local anesthesia: a clinical comparison for operative procedures. Quintessence Int. 1996;27:549–53.
    1. Eriksson M, Schüller H, Sjölund B. Hazard from transcutaneous nerve stimulation in patients with pacemakers. Lancet. 1978;1:1319.
    1. Baghdadi ZD. Evaluation of electronic dental anesthesia in children. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1999;88:418–23.
    1. teDuits E, Goepferd S, Donly K, Pinkham J, Jakobsen J. The effectiveness of electronic dental anesthesia in children. Pediatr Dent. 1993;15:191–3.
    1. Oztas N, Olmez A, Yel B. Clinical evaluation of transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation for pain control during tooth preparation. Quintessence Int. 1997;28:603–8.
    1. Abdulhameed SM, Feigal RJ, Rudney JD, Kajander KC. Effect of peripheral electrical stimulation on measures of tooth pain threshold and oral soft tissue comfort in children. Anesth Prog. 1989;36:52–7.
    1. Harvey M, Elliott M. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain management during cavity preparations in pediatric patients. ASDC J Dent Child. 1995;62:49–51.
    1. Munshi AK, Hegde AM, Girdhar D. Clinical evaluation of electronic dental anesthesia for various procedures in pediatric dentistry. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2000;24:199–204.
    1. Roth PM, Thrash WJ. Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for controlling pain associated with orthodontic tooth movement. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1986;90:132–8.
    1. Stenberg W. TENS-induced pain control in malignant hyperthermia susceptible patient. Anesth Prog. 1994;41:100–1.
    1. Quarnstrom F, Libed EN. Electronic anesthesia versus topical anesthesia for the control of injection pain. Quintessence Int. 1994;25:713–6.
    1. Meechan JG, Gowans AJ, Welbury RR. The use of patient-controlled transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS) to decrease the discomfort of regional anaesthesia in dentistry: a randomised controlled clinical trial. J Dent. 1998;26:417–20.
    1. Hochman R. Neurotransmitter modulator (TENS) for control of dental operative pain. J Am Dent Assoc. 1988;116:208–12.
    1. Quarnstrom FC, Milgrom P. Clinical experience with TENS and TENS combined with nitrous oxide-oxygen. Report of 371 patients. Anesth Prog. 1989;36:66–9.
    1. Varrese M, Guerrini G. Approach to electrical anesthesia: nine years of experience in odontostomatological surgery. Anesth Prog. 1992;39:185.
    1. Singla S, Prabhakar V, Singla RK. Role of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in the management of trigeminal neuralgia. J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2011;2:150–2.
    1. Yameen F, Shahbaz NN, Hasan Y, Fauz R, Abdullah M. Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and its different modes in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. J Pak Med Assoc. 2011;61:437–9.
    1. Thorsen SW, Lumsden SG. Trigeminal neuralgia: sudden and long-term remission with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997;20:415–9.
    1. Nathan PW, Wall PD. Treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia by prolonged electrical stimulation. Br Med J. 1974;3:645–7.
    1. Mittal A, Masuria B L, Bajaj P. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in treatment of post herpetic neuralgia. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1998;64:45–7.
    1. Hansson P, Ekblom A. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as compared to placebo TENS for the relief of acute oro-facial pain. Pain. 1983;15:157–65.
    1. Hargitai IA, Sherman RG, Strother JM. The effects of electrostimulation on parotid saliva flow: A pilot study. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2005;99:316–20.
    1. Pattipati S, Patil R, Kannan N, Kumar B P, Shirisharani G, Mohammed RB. Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation induced parotid stimulation on salivary flow. Contemp Clin Dent. 2013;4:427–31.
    1. Weiss WWJr, Brenman HS, Katz P, Bennett JA. Use of an electronic stimulator for the treatment of dry mouth. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1986;44:845–60.
    1. Steller M, Chou L, Daniels TE. Electrical stimulation of salivary flow in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. J Dent Res. 1988;67:1334–7.
    1. Talal N, Quinn JH, Daniels TE. The clinical effects of electrostimulation on salivary function of Sjogren's syndrome patients. Rheumatology Int. 1992;12:43–5.
    1. Wong RK, Jones GW, Sagar SM, Babjak AF, Whelan T. A Phase I-II study in the use of acupuncture-like transcutaneous nerve stimulation in the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia in head-and-neck cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2003;57:472–80.
    1. Wong RK, James JL, Sagar S, Wyatt G, Nguyen-Tan PF, Singh AK. Phase 2 results from Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Study 0537: a phase 2/3 study comparing acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus pilocarpine in treating early radiation-induced xerostomia. Cancer. 2012;118:4244–52.

Source: PubMed

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

3
Subscribe