[Clinical evaluation of the INJEX system, a local anesthesia system without needles: a comfort evaluation study]

The use of needless local anaesthesia systems in dentistry can be of a help in treating needle phobia patients. The aim of this comfort study was to compare a classical local infiltration anaesthesia with a needle-free system. INJEX (ROSCH AG Germany). A split mouth design study was performed. All patients in this study needed 2 restorations. In order to receive objective information on both systems needle-phobia patients were banned. Therefore the first restoration was performed with the classical system (with needle) and the well-acceptance was evaluated. The second restoration was done with the needle-free system. Both patient and dental practitioner performed an evaluation after each treatment. Evaluation by the patient was given by a questionnaire on the comfort of the treatment using Faces Pain Scale, Lickert Scale and a modified version of the Abbreviated Acceptability Rating Profile. By the dental practitioner the comfort of the treatment and the amount of local anaesthesia needed was evaluated. The study was approved by the ethical committee of Ghent University Hospital Belgium.

The INJEX system can be a valuable alternative to use in paediatric dentistry, although non needle phobia patients in this study did not preferred the needle free INJEX system above the classical local injection.