Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (The Alpha-Stim SCS)
Until now most aids for the anxious patient have been
drug related - such as sedation and in extreme cases general anaesthesia.
A new device from the United States shows much promise in
providing the anxious patient with drug free relaxation.
The device (The Alpha-Stim SCS) functions by passing an
electric waveform through the brain. This is quite painless and consists of
nothing more than a couple of electrode ear clips. The patient is in control
of the current and can increase or decrease it as desired. The control unit
is a palm sized box.
The effect produced is a feeling of wellbeing, relaxation
and body heaviness.
The author of these pages has recently tested the device
for the journal, Dental Practice, and has found a tremendous response
with his anxious patients.
Advantages with this system are that as soon as it is
switched off the effect is instantly reversible. The patient is able to drive
straight home afterwards and resume their normal daily activities. This is in
contrast to drug induced solutions such as sedative techniques where the
effects of the drugs require hours to wear off.
Although the use of this technique in dentistry is in its
early days it is already showing good promise and attracting a fair amount of
attention.
With such good results I am very keen to see the more
widespread use of this technoloy in the dental care of anxious patients.
Dr. Stuart M. Ellis, BDS, DPDS, MFGDP (UK)
Dental Surgeon
3rd February 2000