Comparing Electronic and Conventional Syringes for Pain and Anxiety in Children During Local Anesthetic Injection in Pediatric Dental Care

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating pain and anxiety levels in children aged 6 to 8 years during local anesthesia using electronic versus conventional syringes. The study focuses on children undergoing pulp therapy on both sides of their upper primary molars. This randomized controlled trial aims to understand whether electronic anesthesia devices can reduce discomfort and stress compared to traditional syringes, which is important for improving childrens dental experiences and attitudes. Children will receive electronic anesthesia on one side of the upper jaw and conventional anesthesia on the other side during two different visits. The right side will always receive electronic anesthesia, while the left side receives conventional anesthesia. Each injection uses 4% articaine with adrenaline, and topical anesthetic is applied beforehand. The study is double-blinded, with children wearing sunglasses to mask which anesthesia they get, and all injections performed by the same operator for consistency. Participants will have pain measured immediately after each injection using a Visual Analogue Scale VAS. Researchers will also monitor heart rate and oxygen saturation before and after anesthesia using pulse oximetry. Saliva samples will be collected before and up to 30 minutes after each injection to assess salivary amylase levels as an anxiety marker. The study includes two visits, and all data is analyzed to compare pain and anxiety between the two anesthesia methods.

Electronic vs. Conventional Syringes: Impact on Pediatric Pain and Anxiety