The effect of an electronic analgesia device on dental pain thresholds.

Abstract

The effect of UltraCalm, an electronic dental analgesia (EDA) device, on dental pain thresholds was studied in 32 volunteers. For each subject, two initial baseline measurements of dental pain thresholds were made using an electric pulp tester. Pain thresholds were then measured during EDA with either UltraCalm or an inactive (placebo) device. No significant differences were found between the first and second baseline threshold measurements nor between the pain thresholds measured during the application of the UltraCalm and placebo devices. The mean baseline pain threshold was significantly lower than the threshold measured during application of the placebo device, but was not significantly different from the threshold during application of UltraCalm. it is concluded that UltraCalm has no consistent effect in altering dental pain thresholds.