Assessing the pain reaction of children receiving periodontal ligament anesthesia using a computerized device (Wand)

The purpose of the study was to compare the reaction of children, who received a local anesthesia to the upper incisors with a conventional buccal infiltration and a periodontal ligament injection (PDLi) with a computerized device (Wand); to assess the efficacy of the anesthesia and the reactions by children after treatment. Ninety-eight children aged 2 to 4 years participated in the study. All the children were sedated with hydroxyzine and nitrous oxide. Children were randomly assigned to receive either PDLi with the Wand or conventional infiltration. During the injection, a modified Behavioral Pain Scale was used. There were 21 girls and 23 boys between the ages of 2 to 4 years in the study group (mean age 3.9 +/- 1.3 years), and 16 girls and 29 boys (mean age 3.5 +/- 1.0 years) in the control group. No significant difference was found between boys and girls. More children reacted negatively, namely, crying, facial expressions and eyes squeezed, while receiving the conventional infiltrative injection, whereas children, who received the anesthetic solution using the Wand, reacted more positively. This difference was statistically significant. No significant difference regarding the efficacy of the anesthesia was observed in either technique. Eighty percent of the children who receive the conventional buccal infiltration scratched the nose or upper lip after the treatment, while none of the children, who received PDLi, showed signs of discomfort. Children displayed better behavior when they received local anesthesia with the Wand rather than with the conventional infiltration. The same efficacy of anesthesia was achieved with both techniques. Children did not show signs of discomfort after treatment with the Wand, whereas they did while receiving conventional injections.