title: Pulsed electromagnetic fields for postoperative pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial in patients undergoing mandibular third molar extraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The clinical efficacy of a wearable pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy device was assessed in terms of pain and quality of healing after tooth extraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized, parallel design, placebo-controlled study involved 120 patients undergoing unilateral mandibular third molar extraction and assigned to three groups after surgery. Test and placebo patients wore enabled or disabled PEMF devices, respectively, and controls wore no device. Patients recorded pain (on the visual analog scale) and analgesic use for a week, after which healing complications were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Test patients had only slightly lower visual analog scale scores and analgesic use, but significantly fewer cases of dehiscence than placebo patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEMF therapy delivered by a wearable device improved soft tissue healing and may be a useful adjunct for pain management after oral surgery.
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, Dental Clinic, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: michele.stocchero@mah.se.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Stocchero
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, Dental Clinic, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Gobbato
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, Dental Clinic, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors: Marleen
authors: M
authors: De Biagi
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, Dental Clinic, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors: Eriberto
authors: E
authors: Bressan
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, Dental Clinic, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Sivolella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D016896:Treatment Outcome