Comparison of the effects of computer assisted local anesthesia devices on reducing injection-related pain and fear in pediatric dental patient group: cross section, split MOUTH (HALF MOUTH), clinical study

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the levels of anxiety, fear and pain before, during and after anesthesia in computer-assisted local anesthesia device and conventional anesthesia method applied in children. Materials and Methods: One-hundred children aged 7-11 years, who referred to Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Dental Faculty Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, were included in the study. A treatment plan consisting of three sessions was applied to the children. In the first session, the children were examined in the mouth. Both anesthesia methods were applied in the second and third sessions, respectively. Anxiety and pain of the patients were determined using The Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule, Face Image Scale, Instant Anxiety Scale, heart rate and Wong-Baker Pain Scales. Results: According to the findings of the study, while there was a significant increase for the conventional anesthesia method in one anxiety scale (p=0.012), the changes in anxiety were not found significant for either group in the other scale. When the methods were compared with each other, no difference was found between anxiety levels. Although patients say that they feel more pain with the conventional method, the difference between the pain scores felt in both methods is not significant. (p>0.05) Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, it was concluded that Sleeper One® and conventional anesthesia method cause similar anxiety and pain. Even if there was no significant difference in terms of pain, most of the patients stated that they preferred the computer-controlled local anesthesia method. Considering the ease of application, post-operative comfort and the preferences of the patients; there is a need for more studies using current local anesthesia techniques in pediatric dentistry. Keywords: Dental anxiety, Computer controlled anesthesia system, Pain, Sleeper One