The Application of Electrical Current in Dental Anesthesia.
Abstract
Data is reported relative to the effects of anodal blockade of nerve impulse transmission in the dental pulp of cats induced by the passage of direct electrical currents through the main pulp chamber. Pulp excitability was quantified by recording the threshold of field potentials in the rostral trigeminal sensory complex of the brainstem elicited by electrical stimulation of the test tooth. The results indicated a dose-dependent progressive block of pulp excitability with current ranging to 100 microamperes. Block of relatively high intensity and/or of prolonged duration resulted in excitability changes which were not immediately reversible. In separate experiments involving human subjects, it was demonstrated that the proper electrical stimulation of oral mucosa adjacent to a maxillary central incisor was capable of significantly attenuating the perception of pain elicited by electrical stimulation of the latter tooth. Pain intensity was quantified through verbal reports of the test subjects. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 12, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA020825
Entities
People
- Bhim S. Savara
- R. Wayne Fields
- Richard B. Tacke
Organizations
- University of Oregon