Abstract:
Dental electronic analgesia apparatus and methodology employs a transutaneous electronic wave to suppress perceived pain during trauma associated with dental procedures. During a pre-treatment phase, a first electrode is placed over the right temporal area of the patient's head and a second electrode on the left temporal area of a patient's head. In addition, during the operative phase, an additional electrode is placed on the buccal side of the gum adjacent the work area, and optional additional electrodes are disposed on the web of the ipsalateral hand and/or on the web of the contralateral hand. An electronic current wave comprising relatively high frequency pulses with a low frequency amplitude modulation is then applied between the first to the second electrodes. The apparatus of the instant invention has been found to block pain in most subjects with a low level current without any chemical intervention, or with a reduced dosage of local anesthesia.