Toothache

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture is frequently advocated as an effective treatment of dental pain. The question whether or not it is effective for this indication remains controversial. The aim of this systematic review therefore was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in dental pain. DATA SOURCES: Four electronic databases were searched: Medline, Embase, CISCOM, and the Cochrane Library. Only controlled trials were included in this review. DATA EXTRACTION: Information was extracted from included studies and entered on standard forms independently by both authors.

OBJECTIVE: To review the scientific validity of published papers on the efficacy of acupuncture in dentistry based on predefined methodological criteria. MATERIALS: A literature search performed by the Royal Society of Medicine and the University Library, Copenhagen, Denmark was able to identify 74 papers written in English, German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, French and Russian published between 1966 and 1996.

The experience of pain and discomfort during orthodontic treatment is common. Pain is a subjective response to noxious stimuli, but it is also influenced by age, gender, previous pain experience, emotional factors and stress. The ortodontic treatments such as separation, placement of the arch wire, activation of the fix or removable appliances and debonding cause some degree of pain for the patient. In a prospective study 95% of the patients reported pain experience during orthodontic treatment. The periodontal pain caused by the combination of pressure, ischemia, inflammation and oedema.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utilisation of traditional systems of health care for oral conditions among rural adults in Sri Lanka. SETTING: A rural agricultural area in Sri Lanka. PARTICIPANTS: 603 adults aged 45 years and above. METHOD: The data were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, 89% reported ever using a health care facility to obtain care for their oral problems and 18% had used a traditional system of health care for the same.

BACKGROUND: Ayurveda, an ancient medical science originating in India, also is practiced in the United States. The authors conducted a study primarily to explore the involvement of Ayurvedic practitioners in treating oral diseases. METHODS: Eighty-five practitioners participated in this cross-sectional survey. The authors obtained self-reported data on demographics of the practitioners, the general and oral health conditions they treated, and the treatment modalities used. They performed descriptive statistical and logistic regression analyses by using statistical software.