Comparison of the Wand with a conventional technique.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to compare the Wand computer-controlled anesthetic delivery system with a conventional technique as to pain of needle insertion and the pain during injection according to the patient's dental anxiety levels.


METHODS
The study sample comprised 52 healthy patients about to undergo routine tooth extraction. A dental anxiety scale was used to determine anxiety levels before anesthetic administration. Anesthesia technique selection was made according to the patients' anxiety level. After each injection, patients completed pain rating score and visual analog scale to rate their pain perception during needle insertion and injection.


RESULTS
The patients receiving the Wand system reported significantly less pain of needle insertion and less pain during injection (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Under the conditions of this study, although the anxiety levels of patients were higher in Wand injection than conventional syringe injection, the Wand seemed to be less painful. However, the mean ratings of pain were mostly mild or no pain for both injections.
Sumer
Mahmut
M
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Samsun, Turkey. msumer1970@yahoo.com
Misir
Ferhat
F
Koyuturk
A Erdin
AE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014081:Tooth Extraction