Comparison of Perception of Pain Following Orthodontic Extraction with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulations along with Pharmacological Method Over Only Pharmacological Method: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic extraction of first pre-molars is commonly performed in fixed orthodontic treatment and often leads to post-operative pain. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Aceclofenac are routinely used, their systemic side effects necessitate exploring non-pharmacological adjuncts, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Aim: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of TENS when used along with pharmacological method as compared to only pharmacological method for pain control after therapeutic extraction of the 1st pre-molar in patients requiring fixed orthodontic treatment.  Materials and Methods: This prospective split-mouth study included 20 patients aged 13–28 years undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment at Bareilly International University. Each patient received bilateral first pre-molar extractions. One side was randomly assigned to the TENS + Aceclofenac group, while the opposite side served as control (Aceclofenac only). A 15- day interval between extractions was maintained. TENS was applied extraorally for 15 min post-extraction. Pain was recorded using a 10 cm Visual Analog Scale at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h post-operatively. Results: Pain was lower in the TENS group at all-time intervals, with a statistically significant difference observed at 24 h (P = 0.037). No significant differences were found at other time points. Conclusion: TENS proved to be a safe and effective adjunct for reducing post operative pain following pre-molar extraction. It may be considered a valuable addition to conventional pharmacological methods in orthodontic patients.