A clinical comparison of pain perception and extent of area anesthetized by Wand^® and a traditional syringe

Abstract

Background:In the contemporary dental practice, alleviation of pain is the most important factor to ameliorate patient's condition and to gain one's confidence towards the skills of the operator. Such confidence aids to the ultimate success of the treatment procedures.Aims and Objectives:This study compares the pain response of a group of 10 subjects to the Wand® with the response to traditional syringe injections and also compares the extent of the area anesthetized.Materials and Methods:10 subjects were selected for the study and 20 injections were given contralaterally to them, 10 with Wand®, and rest with the traditional aspirating syringe. Each subject received 2 injections on the palate, Left side with Wand® (test) and Right side with Traditional syringe (control). All injections were given by the same investigator without the use of topical anesthetic spray/gel. Pain perception levels were recorded with a visual analogue scale. Also the extent of area anesthetized with a single palatal injection was assessed by probing.Results:The results showed injections with the syringe were more painful than injections with the Wand® in 2 of 10 subjects. Also the extent of the area anesthetized by both the techniques was similar except in 2 patients.Conclusion:The Wand® results in less painful injections; however, mean ratings of pain for both the groups, were mostly below the annoying level of pain. Also, the areas covered by the anesthetic effect of both the injections were comparatively similar.

Comparative Analysis Between Computed and Conventional Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Techniques

“…3,16 The conventional anesthetic technique, when performed slowly, with the gradual introduction of the needle and constant diffusion of the anesthetic solution, produces a pain perception similar to that generated by the computed technique. 17 In this study, no failure in the conventional anesthetic technique used for inferior alveolar nerve block was observed, as qualified and skilled surgeons performed it. Patient satisfaction with the anesthetic techniques showed no statistically significant differences.…”

Influence of information concerning a computerized anesthesia system on dental anxiety: a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…Despite current improvements on materials and techniques, dental anesthesia is usually one of the most feared parts of dental procedures. This could difficult our maneuvers and create discomfort to patients (1,5). Pain during anesthesia can be generated by the puncture or by the fluid release (1)(2)(3)(5)(6)(7)(8) and worsened by anxiety and fear from patients (1,7,8).…”

“…This could difficult our maneuvers and create discomfort to patients (1,5). Pain during anesthesia can be generated by the puncture or by the fluid release (1)(2)(3)(5)(6)(7)(8) and worsened by anxiety and fear from patients (1,7,8). Injecting slowly at a low pressure seems to reduce pain and increase comfort during dental anesthesia (2,6).…”

“…The Wand (Milestone Scientific, Deerfield, IL) was designed to decrease pain and anxiety produced by the traditional anesthetic syringes. It consists in a computerized controlled injection activated by a footswitch pedal (3,5,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). The hand piece is similar to a pen, which constitutes an advantage as it does not remind a conventional syringe (3,7).…”

“…The hand piece is similar to a pen, which constitutes an advantage as it does not remind a conventional syringe (3,7). The device maintains the anesthetic liquid flow at a constant volume and pressure, independently from the tissue resistance (3)(4)(5)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11), and it can be used at a slow or high speed (4-6,10). Presumably, it relieves few drops that precede the needle puncture, thus, creating a virtually imperceptible injection (3,5,9,10).…”