OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of transcutanclus electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on prevention and treatment of orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction.

METHODSA total of 85 patients of malocclusions in the preliminary diagnosis were randomly divided into a control group (20 cases), a psychological intervention group (22 cases), a medication group (20 cases) and a TEAS group (23 cases). Orthodontics treatment was given in all the groups. Patients in the control group received no further treatment; patients in the psychological intervention group received comprehensive psychological intervention, including cognitive education and music therapy; patients in the medication group received oral administration of ibuprofen; patients in the TEAS group received TEAS at Juliao (ST 3), Jiachengjiang (Extra) and auricular point Ya (LO1). The treatment was given twice a day, one in morning and one at night, for 7 days. The pain scores of orthodontic toothache and changes of oral dysfunction were observed in all groups.

RESULTS(1) At 5 time points from the 12th hour to the 4th day, the scores of spontaneous pain in TEAS group were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.01); during the time points, the scores in TEAS group were lower than those in the psychological intervention group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), which were similar to those in the medication group (all P > 0.05). (2) During the peak cycle of spontaneous toothache, the scores of irritation pain in TEAS group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P < O.01), regardless of time-point statistics or general statistics; the scores of irritation pain in the TEAS group were also significantly lower than those in the psychological intervention group (all P < 0.01), which were similar to those in the medication group (all P > 0. 05). (3) Compared with control group, the grading of talking disorder in the remaining groups did not change significantly (P > 0.05). (4) Compared with control group, the grading of moderate-severe eating disorder in TEAS group was significantly reduced (P < O.05), which was not different from that in the medication group (P > 0.05). The differences of the grading of moderate-severe eating disorder were not significantly different between the psychological intervention group and control group (P > 0.05). (5) There were 3 cases of digestive system adverse reactions in the medication group.

CONCLUSIONTEAS can efficiently prevent orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction, which is superior to psychological intervention and similar to medication. In addition, it can avoid possible side-effect of medication.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Electric Stimulation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth ; physiopathology ; Mouth Abnormalities ; therapy ; Orthodontic Brackets ; adverse effects ; Orthodontics ; instrumentation ; Toothache ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; psychology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the action mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on prevention and treatment of orthodontic toothache.

METHODSTwenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group, an orthodontic group and a TEAS group, 8 rabbits in each one. The orthodontic model of rabbit was made in orthodontic group and TEAS group by bonding brackets and fixing NI-TI screw with ligature wire. After model establishment, the TEAS group was treated with TEAS atpoints (skin surface corresponding points to the bilateral upper 1st molars) and "Hegu" (LI 4) with dilatational wave, 20 min per treatment, twice a day, totally 2-day consecutive treatment (4 treatments) was provided. The rabbit general behavior, total food intake and threshold of pain were observed; the contents of serum prostaglandin E(PGE), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as well as endorphin (β-EP) fluid and cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the orthodontic group, the rabbit general behavior, total food intake and threshold of pain in the TEAS group were significantly improved (<0.05,<0.01). The serum PGEwere significantly reduced (<0.05), while GM-CSF presented reducing trend without statistical significance (>0.05). The β-EP in the CSF were increased (<0.05), while CCK-8 in CSF presented reducing trend without statistical significance (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe preventive and therapeutic effects of TEAS on rabbits with orthodontic toothache are achieved by reducing algogenic substance PGEin peripheral nervous system selectively, increasing β-EP in CSF in central nervous system and keeping the level of anti-opioid pain maintaining substance CCK-8.Both the central and peripheral nervous systems participate in the analgesic effect of TEAS.