Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Different Methods of Alleviating Pain and Anxiety during Local Anaesthesia Administration in Children: A Split-mouth Study

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two different methods, a custom-designed mucosal vibrator and topical benzocaine gel, in alleviating pain and anxiety during local anaesthesia (LA) administration in paediatric patients. Materials and Methods: A randomised, split-mouth controlled trial was conducted with 30 paediatric patients aged 5–10 years. Each child received LA with a custom-designed mucosal vibrator in one session and with topical benzocaine gel in another. Pain perception and anxiety were assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, Sound–Eye–Motor Scale and pulse rate measurements. The sequence of interventions was randomised using the sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelope technique. Results: The study found that the custom-designed mucosal vibrator significantly reduced pain perception compared to the benzocaine gel, as evidenced by both subjective and objective pain scores ( P < 0.05). However, the two methods showed no significant difference in anxiety levels, as indicated by similar pulse rate changes ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: The custom-designed mucosal vibrator offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative to topical benzocaine for reducing pain during LA in children, though it does not significantly alter anxiety levels. This device could be a valuable tool for paediatric dental practitioners to improve the comfort of their patients during dental procedures.