Evaluating Anxiety Levels and Pain Perception while Administering Local Anesthesia Using Conventional Insulin...

Pain management during local anesthesia (LA) administration is a crucial aspect of pediatric dentistry, as it directly affects a child's cooperation, comfort, and overall dental experience. Conventional syringes are commonly used but may cause significant discomfort in children. Alternatives such as insulin syringes and the computer-controlled Star Pen aim to minimize pain through finer needles or controlled delivery. This study aims to evaluate and compare children's pain responses to LA administration using three techniques-conventional syringes, insulin syringes, and the Star Pen-to identify the most comfortable and child-friendly method.

To assess and compare the efficacy and anxiety levels between the Star Pen, insulin syringe, and conventional technique for anesthetizing primary maxillary teeth in children.

A total of 45 children in the age-group of 4-10 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into three groups. Group A participants received LA using the Star Pen method, group B participants received LA using an insulin syringe, and group C participants received LA using the conventional method (control group). Pain interpretation and dental anxiety were evaluated with the help of the Animated Emoji Scale before and after the treatment, the face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) scale during the treatment, and physiological parameters such as pulse rate and SpO₂ before and during the intervention.

Anxiety levels and pain perception were perceived to be significantly lower in the Star Pen and insulin syringe groups when compared to the conventional syringe group. The Star Pen showed superior results, followed by the insulin syringe and then the conventional syringe.

The Star Pen showed superiority, followed by the insulin syringe, in reducing anxiety levels in children as compared to the conventional technique.

The Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI) prospectively registered the study under the CTRI number CTRI/2025/05/087661.

Karuppiah M, Patil U, Choche A, et al. Evaluating Anxiety Levels and Pain Perception while Administering Local Anesthesia Using Conventional Insulin Syringes and Novel Star Pen Device. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(5):655-661.