title: Clinical use of iontophoresis to treat facial pain.
abstract: Iontophoresis is a modality that assists with the entry of certain therapeutic medications into injured sites. Medications, such as anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, and some corticosteroids, when dissolved in water, separate into positive and negative ions. When an electric current is passed through an ionized solution, the ions of these agents carry the electric current from the positive to the negative electrode. The above medications have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of TMD. These agents in liquid form are placed in meditrode pads that are attached to skin or mucosal surface over the sites that are to be treated. The treating (active) meditrodes and a larger ground (dispersive or return) meditrode are attached to an iontophoretic unit by wire leads to form a closed circuit. With iontophoresis, the treating medications can be placed in the target areas in high concentrations.
authors.affiliation: 1530 East Hwy. 30 Gonzales, LA 70737, USA.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: DuPont
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents