Auto-controlled Syringe vs Insulin Syringe for Palatal Injections in Children: A Randomized Crossover Trial

This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of auto-control syringe (ACS) and insulin syringe (IS) for palatal local anesthesia administration in children.

The study was a double-blind, randomized, and crossover trial, comprising 80 children requiring palatal anesthesia bilaterally (total 160 injections). Palatal anesthesia on one side was delivered with ACS in one appointment and contralaterally with IS in the second appointment. One-week washout period was given between first and second appointments. Each child acted as his own control. Each injection technique subjective and objective pain scores were measured twice (during needle prick and during actual deposition of local anesthesia). Subjective and objective evaluation of pain was measured with Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale (WB-FPS) and the face, leg, activity, cry, and consolability scale (FLACC), respectively. After concluding second appointment, child was asked about their preference between both ACS and IS. Statistical evaluation was performed using Chi-square test.

Child reported less pain score for needle prick with IS as opposed to ACS (p value = 0.000416). There was no significant difference between dentist-reported pain scores between any group for both needle prick and local anesthesia administration. There is no significant difference between child reported pain score during administration of local anesthesia between two groups. Irrespective of pain scores, most of the children (96.5%) preferred IS.

For palatal local anesthesia administration in children, both IS and auto-controlled syringe have similar efficacy.

Insulin syringe can serve as an economical alternative to the expensive auto-controlled syringe for palatal injections in children.