Pain perception in children during caries removal with the Vector system: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
A pilot study to compare pain perception during caries treatment in children by means of: the Vector system versus a mechanical method.


METHODS
A population of 31 children, aged 7-11 years, with a positive attitude towards dental treatment was recruited. Every child had two permanent molar teeth treated, one using the Vector system (piezo-driven ultrasonic device) and the other using conventional method (dental bur). Corah, Hochman and the visual scale (Facial Expression Scale) were applied to evaluate anxiety and pain perception.


RESULTS
Treatment with the Vector system required significantly longer time 31.1 versus 4.7 mins for the conventional method. With the Vector system 54.8% of children and with conventional method 29.0% felt no pain. Girls admitted to feeling more pain than boys (verbal scale p < 0.018, visual scale p < 0.072). A high statistical correlation between verbal and visual scales was confirmed (r = 0.821; p < 0.001 and a greater level of pain was found using conventional method.


CONCLUSIONS
The Vector system is useful in treating caries in children, because it minimizes the negative attitudes to pain but takes significantly longer to use.
Chomyszyn-Gajewska
M
M
Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Cracow, Poland. mdgajews@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Kwapinska
H
H
Zarzecka
J
J
D020906:Air Abrasion, Dental; D002648:Child; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy