Comparing Buffered and Conventional Local Anesthesia for Pain and Anxiety Reduction in Children Ages 6 to 12 Undergoing Dental Treatment for Pulpitis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of buffered local anesthesia compared to conventional local anesthesia in reducing pain and anxiety in school-aged children aged 6 to 12 years who require dental treatment for pulpitis. This study aims to determine if buffered anesthesia improves behavioral pain scores, physiological signs, and self-reported pain and anxiety during procedures such as pulpotomy or pulpectomy on primary maxillary molars. Participants will receive either buffered lidocaine with epinephrine combined with sodium bicarbonate or conventional lidocaine with epinephrine without buffering. The anesthesia will be administered via local infiltration or nerve block depending on clinical needs. The study uses a randomized, parallel design with quadruple masking to compare the two anesthetic methods during routine dental treatments. During the study, children will be monitored using the FLACC pain scale, heart rate, skin conductance, and the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale at various treatment stages. Researchers will also record the onset and duration of anesthesia, following participants until soft tissue sensation fully recovers. These assessments will help measure pain, anxiety, and anesthesia effectiveness throughout the dental procedure and recovery.

Buffered Versus Conventional Local Anesthesia for Pain and Anxiety Reduction in School-Aged Children With Pulpitis