Pain perception in children during caries removal with the Vector system: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Technology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Caries treatment in children often involves pain and anxiety.
• Minimizing negative patient experiences is crucial for successful dental care.
• Novel technologies aim to improve patient comfort during dental procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare pain perception in children undergoing caries treatment using the Vector system versus a conventional mechanical method.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the Vector system in reducing pain and anxiety during dental procedures in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 31 children aged 7-11 years with positive dental attitudes.
• Each child received caries treatment on two permanent molar teeth: one with the Vector system (piezo-driven ultrasonic) and one with a conventional dental bur.
• Anxiety and pain were assessed using Corah, Hochman, and Facial Expression Scales.

Main Results:

• The Vector system required significantly more time (31.1 minutes) compared to the conventional method (4.7 minutes).
• Children experienced less pain with the Vector system (54.8% felt no pain) than with the conventional method (29.0% felt no pain).
• A strong correlation was found between verbal and visual pain scales (r=0.821, p<0.001), with higher pain reported for the conventional method.

Conclusions:

• The Vector system is a viable option for pediatric caries treatment, effectively minimizing pain perception.
• While the Vector system enhances patient comfort by reducing pain, its application is more time-consuming than conventional methods.