Methods: Twenty one (21) young patients (9 male and 12 female) with symmetrically impacted lower third molars were selected. Each patient was submitted to two separeted surgical procedure under local anesthesia. In one side, extraction was carried out using both prior (24 h) and immediately postoperative application of EAC, while on the contralateral side surgery was carried out without any treatment. EAC was applied on 14 points (local and systemic) with a WQ10Dl appliance using 40-60 Hz frequency for 20 minutes and individual intensity adjustment. Postoperative pain intensity was rated on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) between 2 and 72 hours and by recording the amount of analgesics (Paracetamol 750 mg) taken after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed by t test for paired samples.
Results: VAS scores were significantly lower with EAC 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours postoperatively (p<0.05). Analgesic intake decreased in the first 6 hours.
Conclusions: It was concluded that the therapy with EAC is efficient in reducing both pain scores and analgesic consumption after lower third molar surgery mainly in the early postoperative hours.
Financial support: FAPESP