Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: Jan 01, 2018

Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Injection Pain Using a Computer-Controlled Local Anesthetic Device (CCLAD): A Prospective, Randomized Study

DMD, MS,
DDS, MS,
DDS, MS,
DDS, MS,
DDS, MS, and
DDS, MA
Page Range: 231 – 236
DOI: 10.2344/anpr-65-03-11
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There is evidence that the Computer-Controlled Local Anesthetic Device (CCLAD) decreases the pain of oral injections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate injection pain of the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) using the CCLAD in an upright position versus a supine position. Additionally, we evaluated solution deposition pain with the CCLAD when compared to previous studies using a traditional syringe. One hundred ten asymptomatic subjects were randomly given IANBs using 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine while in an upright sitting position and supine position, at 2 different appointments, spaced at least 2 weeks apart. Each subject rated the pain for needle insertion, needle placement, and solution deposition on a Heft-Parker visual analogue scale. Pain ratings were compared between the upright and supine positions using a repeated-measures analysis of variance with post hoc testing using the Tukey-Kramer procedure. Moderate to severe pain was reported by 10% to 13% of the patients for needle insertion, 74% to 75% for full needle placement, and 8% to 10% for solution deposition. There was no significant difference between groups for phases of the injection. When comparing the injection phases within the groups, the needle placement phase of the injection was statistically more painful than both the needle insertion phase and solution deposition phase (p = .0001). Using the CCLAD, IANB injection pain of the supine and upright positions was not statistically different. Needle placement was the most painful phase of the injection. Solution deposition pain was less with the CCLAD when compared to other studies of the IANB using a traditional syringe.

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Copyright: © 2018 by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology

Contributor Notes

Address correspondence to Al Reader, DDS, MS, Division of Endodontics, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, 305 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210; reader.2@osu.edu.

Chase Crowley, DDS, MS, currently is in practice limited to endodontics, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Received: Nov 06, 2017
Accepted: Dec 30, 2017