This study is testing the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture in controlling pain related to the removal of partially impacted mandibular third molars. Acupuncture is the Chinese art of healing by inserting needles into the skin.

Participants ages 18 - 40 are given an initial x-ray to determine if one lower molar is partially bony impacted. Eligible participants will then undergo standard oral surgery to remove the impacted molar. A local anesthetic will be used prior to surgery. Directly after surgery the participant will be assigned to one of three groups. Participants will not be able to select which group they are assigned. Participants will receive either real or sham (fake) acupuncture as a treatment for post-extraction pain. After the initial acupuncture treatment, participants are required to remain for six hours at the dental site to be monitored. If a participants discomfort is measured as moderate or higher then a second acupuncture treatment will be administered. All participants will be administered questionnaires during the day of surgery. Participants will also be required to complete two diaries during the seven days following surgery. On the seventh day, participants return to have stitches removed and hand in completed diaries.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
Tooth, Impacted	Procedure: Acupuncture	Phase III

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years   -   40 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least one lower mandibular molar with partial bony impaction
• General good health
• Minimum body weight of 99 lbs.
• Able to read and write in English

Maryland
      Rivers Center Dental Associates, Columbia,  Maryland,  21046,  United States

Study ID Numbers:  1 R01 AT00010-01M; 1 R01 AT00010-01
Record last reviewed:  April 2002
Last Updated:  October 13, 2004
Record first received:  February 2, 2001
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00010972
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08