Efficiency of a Vibrating and Cold Applicating Device in Reducing Pain of Local Anesthesia in Children

Introduction: Children often develop phobia toward needle pricks and invasiveprocedures. Unmanaged pain could result in short and long-term physiological,psychological, and emotional consequences. Aim: The aim of this study wasto comparethe effectiveness of (Buzzy Bee device) versus traditional topical anesthesia 20%benzocaine gel in management of pain and anxiety during nerve block and infiltrationfor maxillary and mandibular primary molars in children. Materials and methods:A randomized, split-mouth study was conducted on 60 children aged 4-6 years, withno previous dental experience, who required maxillary infiltration or inferior alveolarnerve block for pulpotomy in the maxillary or mandibular primary molars. The childrenwere divided equally into two main groups, nerve block (n=30) and infiltration groups(n=30). Then each group was subdivided into Buzzy Bee device subgroup (examinedside) and topical anesthesia 20% benzocaine gel subgroup (control side), followedby pulpotomy or extractions. An assessment of the children’s pain perceptions wasconducted by the dentist, using The Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability (FLACC)Scale, while anxiety levels of children were assessed by Venham’s anxiety andbehavioral rating scale (VCARS), recorded during and after administration of localanesthesia. Data were analyzed for statistical significance (p<0.05). Results: There wasa very highly significant reduction in anxiety assessment by (VCARS), during and afterinjection of LA using Buzzy Bee device (P<0.001***). According to pain assessmentby (FLACC) Scale, effective reduction during and after injection of local anesthesiaobserved when using Buzzy Bee device (P<0.001***) in both groups. Conclusion:In pediatric patients, the Buzzy Bee device dramatically lessens the impression ofpain during local anesthetic deposition. The device could be used as a supplement tostandard dental procedures when giving children local anesthetic.