Auxiliary Aids to Alleviate Pain and Anxiety during Local Anesthesia Administration: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: In dentistry, pain and anxiety have been the most challenging aspect in the management of a pediatric patient. When every effort to perform local anesthesia (LA) is not successful, the result would be more stressful for both the dentist and the patient. The so-called clichéd paradigm that "pain and dentistry are inseparable" can be resolved by updating the knowledge and skills of the practitioner by using the more advanced techniques in controlling and managing the pain. An array of techniques for administering the LA to improve the comfort level of our patients has been the area of interest.

Aim and objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of various adjunctive aids of LA in reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric patients of the 6-8 years age-group. A total of 90 child dental patients were selected and randomly divided into six groups, i.e., control, topical gel, audio, audiovisual, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), and Vibraject group. Physiological parameters, psychological parameters, and pain assessment were recorded.

Results: As reflected by the results, the minimum pulse rate "during" and "after" LA administration is seen in A/V (D) and TENS (E) "during" LA administration. Children were less anxious and more relaxed in the audiovisual group and TENS group. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation and Vibraject groups showed maximum reduction in pain.

Conclusion: A/V (D) and TENS (E) groups exhibited the least anxiety. Also, the minimum pain was felt using TENS (E) and Vibraject (F) and hence, may be considered as adjunctive aids in pain reduction during LA administration.

How to cite this article: Midha V, Midha V, Dua R, et al. Auxiliary Aids to Alleviate Pain and Anxiety during Local Anesthesia Administration: A Comparative Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(1):104-108.

Keywords: Anxiety; Audio aids; Audiovisual aids; Local anesthesia; Pain; Topical gel; Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation; Vibraject.

Fig. 1

Samples divided into six groups

Fig. 2

Mean scores for pulse rate among different subgroups “during” LA administration

Fig. 3

Mean pulse rate among different subgroups “after” LA administration

Fig. 4

Mean scores for dental sub-scale of children fear survey schedule-short scale (DFSS-SF) “after” LA administration

Fig. 5

Mean scores for modified child dental anxiety scale (MCDAS) “after” LA administration

Fig. 6

Mean scores for Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale (WBFS) “after” LA administration