Comparison of The Efficiency of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation in Reducing Pain During Initial Orthodontic Teeth Alignment: A Single-Blind, Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To collate the efficiency of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) during the initial phase of the orthodontic treatment in alleviating the pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The split mouth randomized, prospective, clinical trial was performed in forty-eight patients, at the start of the orthodontic treatment. Randomization was done twice, one for allotment of the type of intervention and second, for selection of the experimental and control side. After placement of initial 0.014 Niti arch wire, Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation was done by the clinician on the dental chair for patients in TENS group and two nights of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy were prescribed for those in PEMF group. Pain scores were assessed with the Numerical rating scale at 0, 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours. RESULTS: Maximum pain was discovered at 6 hours in PEMF experimental group, whereas the TENS group had most pain at 2 hours. The pain scores in TENS and PEMF when compared, were found to be statistically identical at every time interval. CONCLUSION: Both TENS and PEMF have been shown to be viable methods for managing orthodontic pain that could be effectively used by the patients with very minimal side effects