Pain control is an important part of dentistry, particularly in pediatric dentistry. Recently, a computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery system (CCLAD) has been developed to reduce pain related to the local anesthetic injection. In conjunction with this technology, a new approach to the anterior and middle superior alveolar nerves (AMSA) has been induced. Studies evaluating the CCLAD in pediatric dentistry showed variable results regarding its use in pediatric dentistry. Further evaluation of this technique is needed to provide sound scientific evidence on the use of the CCLAD at this specific injection site in children. Aim:To assess children's pain reactions and pain perceptions of the AMSA injection using the CCLAD compared to the traditional buccal/palatal injections. Materials and methods: Children's pain reactions and perceptions to both techniques were measured in a group of 40 children who received both anesthetic techniques alternatively on two visits. The pain reactions were scored using the SEM scale, whereas the pain perception was evaluated by the Eland color scale. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 10.0.Results: The AMSA injection delivered with the CCLAD had significantly lower mean pain reaction scores compared to traditional buccal and palatal injections. The prolonged injection time required for delivering the CCLAD injection had no negative impact on the children. The children's pain perception scores when using the CCLAD were also significantly lower compared to the traditional injection. Conclusion: The AMSA injection delivered with the CCLAD was found to be a promising device, and had significantly lower pain reaction and perception scores compared to the traditional buccal and palatal injections.

The study aims to evaluate the anesthetic effectiveness of the Anterior and Middle Superior Alveolar (AMSA)injection administered through a computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery system (CCLAD), and compare it with the traditional buccal and palatal injections used to anesthetize maxillary primary molars.Materials and methods: the sample included 80 primary maxillary molars, divided into 2 equal groups:Pulpotomy and extraction groups. Each group was divided equally into 4 subgroups: A. First molars anesthetized with the traditional technique, B. first molars anesthetized with the CCLAD, C. second molars anesthetized with the traditional technique, and D. second molars anesthetized with the CCLAD. The evaluation was done single blind using SEM scale. Results: the AMSA injection with the CCLAD was found to be effective in anesthetizing maxillary primary molars in pulpotomy and extraction procedures. There was no significant difference between the two anesthetic techniques except in the step of gingival retraction buccally in, which the traditional injections were more effective than the CCLAD during extractions. No significant difference was found between first and second primary molars in the effectiveness of both techniques. Conclusion:the AMSA injection using CCLAD was found to be effective in children.

Early childhood caries (ECC) is recognized as an infectious disease. The first step in its development is primary infection by the bacterium S. mutans which has been identified as the primary etiologic factors in dental caries. Lactobacilli were also found to play a role in the progression of disease. However, the underlying mechanism of immune response to caries is unclear. The association between secretory IgA (s.IgA) and cariogenic microorganisms is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of salivary IgA in caries free children, and children with SECC and their corresponding mothers. The study also aims at correlating the children's levels to their mothers'. Sixty children and their mothers attending the dental clinic in King Abdulaziz University participated in our study. Their age ranged from 3 – 5 years. The study groups consisted of thirty children with SECC and a control group consisting of thirty caries free children. Children together with their mothers were examined and their caries level was recorded. Stimulated saliva was collected from each participant for immunological assessment. The secretory IgA (s. IgA) level was assessed by ELISA test. Our study has shown that children with SECC and their mothers had higher levels of s. IgA than the caries free children and their mothers. A positive high correlation was found between secretory IgA of mothers and children in both groups.