Application of Electrical Current in Dental Anesthesia.
Abstract
Investigations are in progress directed to assessing the feasibility of using electrical currents to induce local anesthesia or analgesia. An experimental series has been completed in which it is shown that specific inputs to the sensory cortex of the cat, originating from tooth pulp and believed to be involved in pain perception, can be markedly attenuated by the electrical stimulation of gingiva adjacent to the test tooth with trains of bidirectional pulses. The attenuation of these cortical inputs was significant for mean levels of gingival current ranging from 0.3-10.0 ma, encompassing values which in a;; probability include the isolated activation of nonpainful large-diameter afferent fibers in the gingival or periodontal tissues. The efficacy of gingival stimulation was independent of the frequency over the range 30-1000 pps. The results are interpreted to be probable manifestations of interactions between large- and small-diameter peripheral fiber systems in the corticopetal pathways from tooth pulp and/or electrically dependent peripheral nerve block. (Author Modified Abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 15, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0757712
Entities
People
- Bhim S. Savara
- R. Wayne Fields
Organizations
- University of Oregon