Acupuncture as a Complementary Therapy in Conservative and Endodontic Procedures: A Narrative Review

Abstract

With over two millennia of history, traditional Chinese acupuncture ranks among the most renowned forms of supplementary and other healthcare. The use of acupuncture releases endorphins and serotonin, two naturally occurring painkillers, into the nervous system and stimulates it. It also modifies how pain signals are processed and perceived. The effectiveness of acupuncture in treating a range of dental issues has been demonstrated. Therefore, it is critical that dental professionals understand how acupuncture can be used to treat dental disorders. Painful endodontic conditions such as irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis often require root canal treatment (RCT), which is linked to a significant rate of postoperative pain. Short, acute pain from exposed dentin in reaction to stimuli is a defining feature of dentine hypersensitivity. The primary reason people seek urgent dental care is acute dental pain. However, alternative therapies, like acupuncture, are widely accepted as effective ways to manage dental pain in predental care. For this reason, pharmaceutical management works well, but it is often associated with side effects and occasionally may not offer sufficient pain relief. Acupuncture lessens anxiety related to dental procedures and reduces the need for analgesics following endodontic procedures, which may have unintended side effects.