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Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
A randomized split-mouth clinical trial comparing pain experienced during palatal injections with traditional
Objective:
To compare the pain experienced by patients during injections of local anesthesia in the palate using the traditional syringe and the controlled flow technique with the Calaject system.
Method And Materials:
A single-blind, split-mouth, randomized controlled trial was performed. Twenty-five volunteers were recruited in the Dental Hospital of the University of Barcelona, Spain. Each participant received two injections (0.3 mL of mepivacaine 3%), one with the traditional syringe (control side) and another with the Calaject system (experimental side), both during the same session. Pain intensity was evaluated after each injection with a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). A descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis was made.
Results:
The mean pain experienced was 44.8 mm (standard deviation [SD] 19.0, range 8-72) with the traditional injection and 28.8 mm (SD 19.7, range 8-72) with the Calaject system (P < .001). Moderate/severe pain was more frequently referred in the control side (68%) in comparison with the experimental side (28%).
Conclusion:
Given the parameters of this study's design, the injection of local anesthetics in the palatal area with the Calaject controlled-flow system seems to reduce pain, in comparison to the use of a traditional syringe.
