Pain Perception Measurement by EEG and NRS

Measuring Pain Perception to the Same Stimulus in Different Patients Using Electroencephalography and Numerical Rate Scale

Observational study at CDI Cleveland Dental Institute. Investigators will assess the pain perception in one group of patients using two non-invasive methods. First, a numerical rate scale (NRS) and second, a brain wave EEG.

To generate the nociceptive stimulus, The investigators will apply cold (Endo-Ice) to a healthy upper incisor tooth #8. Inclusion criteria: Patients between 20 and 60 years old, with healthy teeth, no history of dental alveolar trauma, and no pulp chamber calcification. After the nociceptive stimulus, patients will write their pain perception on paper from 0 to 10, and at the same time, we will record the brain activity with a non-invasive EEG Emotiv. Then, we will correlate both methods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females
• Age: 20-60 years.
• Tooth #8 vital and mature. No history of dentoalveolar trauma.
• Adequate coronal tooth structure.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic periodontitis.
• Vertical root fracture.
• Immature teeth.
• Necrotic teeth.
• Systemic diseases that affect the healing process.
• Non restorable teeth.