The assessment of pain sensation during local anesthesia using a computerized local anesthesia (Wand) and a conventional syringe.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the behavior reaction of children who received local anesthesia with a conventional syringe injection and a computerized device (Wand).

METHODS

One hundred and two children ages 3 to 10 years were selected for this study. In 1 group there were 55 children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old, and in the other group there were 47 children ages 6 to 10 years old. They all needed at least 2 clinical sessions of operative procedures, preceded by a local anesthetic injection, 1 on either side of the same jaw. The local anesthesia was delivered using either the Wand or the traditional syringe. A random crossover design was used so that each child served as his/her own control.

RESULTS

There were 25 girls and 30 boys in group A (mean 4.1 +/- 0.6 years), and 26 boys and 21 girls in group B (mean 7.2 +/- 1.3 years). Most of the children had a good reaction to both techniques of local anesthesia. No significant difference in either group was found between boys and girls. The children's reactions to injection in the mandible or the maxilla with the Wand or the conventional technique, regarding crying, facial expression, hands, legs and torso movements were similar with no statistically significant difference. There was no statistical difference when the maxillary infiltration was delivered to 1 or multiple teeth. No significant difference was found when the Wand was delivered during the first or second visit.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested there was no difference in the pain behavior of children during the administration of local anesthesia with a conventional injection or a computerized device when the operator was an experienced pediatric dentist. This was true for maxillary infiltration and mandibular block. For other techniques, such as palatal injection and periodontal ligament injection, more studies should be conducted.