Physiotherapy, ultrasound, laser therapy, galvanization, electrophoresis, high frequency therapy in dentistry

Physiotherapy is actively used to treat many diseases. It is prescribed for the treatment of joints, blood vessels, injuries and colds. With the advances in science and technology, more and more new methods and methods of physiological treatment appear, as well as the existing ones are being improved.

Therapy of dental diseases is of a specific nature, but here, too, the use of physiotherapy helps. Such therapy is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the underlying disease and thereby contributes to a speedy recovery.

What is physiotherapy in dentistry

Physiotherapy implies a therapeutic effect using currents, light, ultrasound and other methods to accelerate the healing process. A variety of physiological treatment methods allow you to quickly and efficiently cope with serious dental diseases.

The main application of physiotherapy relates to various inflammatory processes. oral cavity, as well as rehabilitation treatment after surgical interventions. It can serve as an additional treatment to speed up the healing process, and as a separate method of therapy for some pathologies.

Treatment methods

Various methods of physiological therapy are used in dentistry. Each of them is good in its own way and can help in one case or another. The choice of funds depends on the severity of the disease, its symptoms and the required degree of impact on the focus of the disease.

Electrotherapy

The use of electrotherapy in dentistry is relatively recent.

There are several types of electrotherapy:

• exposure to constant low voltage electric current (galvanization, electrophoresis);
• exposure to impulse currents of low frequency and low voltage (diadynamic, sinusoidal, fluctuating and impulse currents);
• exposure to alternating currents of high frequency (darsonvalization, diathermocoagulation);

This procedure is carried out using an apparatus from which a current flows through special electrodes. The electrodes are applied to the location of the pathology. Gaskets are placed between the electrode and the skin, which, depending on the type of electrotherapy, are moistened with water or some kind of medicinal solution.

Electrotherapy can be performed in the following areas:

• language;
• cheeks;
• lips;
• gums;
• lower jaw joint;
• sinuses of the upper jaw.

When exposed to current in various areas, blood supply and lymph drainage are improved, tissue regeneration is accelerated. The additional use of drugs accelerates the process of removing inflammation and healing the oral cavity.

Electromagnetic fields

In dentistry, heating of pathological zones with the help of electromagnetic fields is often used. Basically, two types are used:

• electric field of ultra high frequency (UHF);
• electric field of ultra-high frequency (microwave).

In the first variant, heating is carried out using small capacitor plates. The plates are attached along the integument of the skin and leave a small distance of 1-2 cm. Warming up takes place in small doses, when the heat is felt weakly.

Microwave heating is carried out with a smaller distance from the patient's skin up to 1 cm and in a wider range, when the heat is felt well and the tissues are warmed up to a depth of several centimeters.

In the process of such an effect on the areas of the disease, an anti-inflammatory effect is exerted, blood supply improves, the healing process of tissues is accelerated, and local immunity increases.

Heating by electromagnetic fields is prescribed for frostbite, acute inflammatory processes and sinusitis. Sometimes it can be prescribed to activate a sluggish current inflammatory process.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy is widely used in dentistry. This method consists in using light of a certain frequency to treat pathology.

There are several areas of phototherapy:

1. Laser therapy is the effect of the infrared and red range of light on the lining of the oral cavity and the integument of the human skin. The laser procedure is very effective for ulcerative lesions of the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips.
2. Infrared radiation is used for frostbite and inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
3. Ultraviolet therapy has mainly an antibacterial effect, therefore it is used for ulcers and purulent lesions of the oral mucosa.

Magnetotherapy

Magnetotherapy consists in the effect of a constant or alternating low-frequency magnetic field on the lesion. During therapy, special inductors are applied to the affected area, between which a magnetic field is formed. The strength of the field and the mode of its intake are regulated depending on the purpose of the therapy.

This method of therapy is used in dentistry for gingivitis, periodontitis, inflammatory processes of the oral cavity, fractures of the bones of the face and in the postoperative period.

The magnetic field has the following effects:

• anti-inflammatory;
• anesthetic;
• decongestant;
• regenerating.

Ultrasound therapy

Ultrasound therapy is a very effective method. Such a procedure consists in the use of mechanical vibrations of particles of an elastic medium for therapeutic purposes, which propagate in the form of waves in the inaudible range and cause alternating compression and expansion substances.

Ultrasound has the following effect:

• slight heating of tissues;
• toning blood vessels and increasing blood flow;
• improving metabolism and oxygen saturation;
• acceleration of the process of tissue regeneration.

The use of ultrasound allows the use of drugs. This method is called phonophoresis. Mainly, oil solutions of agents such as iodine, calcium, phosphorus, analgin, hydrocortisone, etc. are used.

Ultrasound therapy is used for the following diseases:

• chronic inflammation of the oral cavity;
• periodontitis;
• cheilitis.

Heat therapy

Heat therapy has also proven to be effective in the treatment of dental diseases. This method of treatment consists in thermal, chemical and biological effects of heat carriers on the lesion focus.

The most common types of thermotherapy are:

1. Paraffin therapy. The method of applying warm paraffin to the affected areas in the form of an application or spray.
2. Mud mixtures. Warming up the affected areas by applying mud.
3. Cryotherapy. Application of cooling to specific areas of the mouth or face.

Heat therapy is carried out in courses, each procedure lasts about 15-20 minutes. With applications or aerosol spraying, the medicinal product is applied in a small layer and covered with a special film to create a greater thermal effect.

Heat treatment helps relieve pain, improve blood circulation and accelerate tissue regeneration. Cryotherapy also has a decongestant effect.

Massage

To improve blood supply and accelerate the healing process of wounds and scars on the gums, massage is used in dentistry. It helps well in the initial stages of diseases or in the postoperative period.

Types of massage:

• manual;
• toothbrush;
• boring machine;
• hydromassage.

In dentistry, massage is used for periodontal disease, gingivitis, stomatitis. During the procedure, all types of kneading, stroking, rubbing, vibration, etc. are applied, except for tapping.

The choice of technique and the duration of the procedure depends on the severity of the disease, its location and the nature of the course.

Therapeutic effects of physiotherapy

Physiological treatment in dentistry has a positive effect on the course of the disease. This procedure allows you to reduce the time for treatment and the recovery period after it.

The main therapeutic effects of physiotherapy:

• positive healing effect;
• antibacterial and disinfecting effect;
• anesthesia;
• accelerating the process of tissue regeneration and healing of affected areas;
• positive dynamics even with chronic and stagnant processes.

Already after the first sessions of physiotherapy, positive changes are visible. After a full course of therapy, doctors note a lasting result.

Indications and contraindications

Physiological therapy is a medical treatment. She, like all methods of therapy, has its own indications and contraindications.

Indications for the use of physiotherapy indicate that this method will allow you to quickly cope with the disease and help restore the affected areas of the skin and mucous membranes. Physiotherapy can be used for almost all dental pathologies, but the type the method and duration of the procedures are chosen by the attending physician depending on the nature and severity diseases.

Indications for physiotherapy in dentistry:

• gingivitis;
• stomatitis;
• pulpitis;
• trigeminal nerve damage;
• pain after placing fillings;
• periodontitis and periodontal disease;
• alveolitis;
• hematomas;
• frostbite;
• chronic inflammatory processes;
• pathology of the nerves of the face;
• paralysis of facial tissues;
• lesions of the oral mucosa.

There are also a number of contraindications. But they mostly refer to any particular type of physiological treatment that can only worsen the condition. In this case, a specialist consultation and the choice of another method of therapy are required.

Contraindications for physiotherapy in dentistry:

• malignant formations in the oral cavity;
• open wounds or severe bleeding;
• unfixed fractures;
• heart, respiratory, or renal failure;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• the presence of metal structures at the site of the therapy;
• acute inflammatory processes with purulent accumulations;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• blood diseases;
• increased body temperature;
• mental illness;
• pregnancy;
• individual intolerance.

Compliance with safety measures and taking into account all contraindications when prescribing physiological treatment will allow avoiding complications and achieving success in the treatment of dental diseases.

Advantages and disadvantages

The use of physiological therapy in dentistry has many benefits.

Physiotherapy benefits:

• improving the process of blood supply to tissues;
• acceleration of metabolism in cells;
• anesthesia;
• preparation of tissues for surgical intervention;
• restoration of the oral mucosa and skin after surgery;
• quick elimination of hematomas and inflammations;
• smoothing or complete elimination of scars;
• increased tone of muscles and nerve fibers.

But physiotherapy is not unique to all pathologies. It also has its drawbacks:

1. Physiotherapy cannot be the main treatment. Therapy should be used only in an integrated approach with other means. When used alone, it has low efficiency.
2. Such therapy is carried out using special equipment, the price of which is very high. Not all dental clinics can afford expensive equipment, and the cost of physiotherapy procedures will increase even more.
3. Before starting treatment with physiotherapeutic methods, it is necessary to take into account all contraindications, otherwise the patient's condition may worsen.

Dentists' opinions on physiotherapy

Dentists are convinced that the use of physiological therapy is positive. They were convinced from their own experience that the use of physiotherapy allows you to get the desired treatment effect in a short time and minimize all the consequences and complications of a dental disease.

Physiological therapy has no serious side effects. At the initial stage of the disease, sometimes the effect can be achieved only with physiotherapy, i.e. without affecting the body of medication.

The modern development of technology and technology is constantly improving the methods of physiotherapy. Sometimes dentists do not keep pace with these updates and apply old methods of treatment. And sometimes they do not at all understand the specific features of the use of physiological treatment in certain areas of the face and oral cavity.

To avoid various misunderstandings and possible complications from improper use of physiotherapy, all factors should be taken into account and referred to qualified specialists.

Physiological therapy in dentistry is used relatively recently. But during this time it has established itself as an effective method of treatment and recovery of many diseases.