Comparison of a controlled injection pressure system with a conventional technique

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare a device that controls flow rate during injection through use of a foot pedal with a conventional atraumatic syringe injection technique. We determined the change from preinjection to postinjection anxiety, the pain perception, procedure tolerance, and anxiety about future injections.

Study design: Dental injection anxiety questionnaires were completed by 80 endodontic patients immediately before and after administration of local anesthetic with the 2 experimental methods. Patients also completed visual analog scales to rate their pain perception during injection, their rating of the overall experience, and their anticipated anxiety about a future dental injection.

Results: Patients experienced significantly lower overall postinjection anxiety and pain of injection and had significantly more positive overall experience ratings with the conventional technique than with the controlled-rate procedure.

Conclusions: A conventional atraumatic syringe injection technique was superior to a controlled injection pressure system in pain perception and procedure tolerance and in reducing postinjection dental anxiety.