Toothache (or odontalgia ) is one of most effective indications of acupuncture therapy. Until now, the majority of related clinical trials and case studies indicate that acupuncture is effective for dentistry) analgesia

‘: Patient was a 37-year-old female who ha, right toothache due to pulpitis that had received dental treatment for six days. She had to take Ibuprofen everyday to control the pain. Bilatera Hegu (LI4), right Xiaguan (ST7), Jiache (ST6), Qianzheng (EX63), Ermen (TE21), and Yifeng (TE17) were punctured. After only one session, the toothache was alleviated significantly. It was sub sided completely through a follow-up session the next day.

Apply acupuncture or acupressure on the following local or distal oral reAex points that can be selected either alone or in combination.

In local reflex points, select ipsilateral Xiagua (ST7) and Jiache (ST6) as master points, and associate Yifeng (TE17) for complications of otalgia. Whe puncturing Xiaguan (ST7), the needle can be insertec perpendicularly at depth of 1~1.5 inches. In distal reAex points, select ipsdateral or bilateral Hegu (LI4 and Neiting (ST44).

In addition, if the pain is difficult to be alleviated apply NTNM (newe trunk needling method, refer to Section 14.5) on the “infraorbital nerve poi nt”, i.e., Sibai (ST2) for the upper toothache, the “mental nervt point” i.e., Jiachengjiang (EX72) for the lowe toothache. Auricular acupuncture can also be applied. Select Subcortex, Brainstem, UpperJaw oJ LowerJaw, and Shenmen of auricular reflex zones.

In all of above methods, retain needles for 20~3C min after the generation of needling sensations.1s. For acute toothache, administer 1~2 times daily. For chronic pain, once every day or once every other day or apply ANEM.