Effects of a vibratory device on pain from anesthetic injections.
BACKGROUND
A randomized block, split-mouth design was used to determine the effectiveness of a vibratory device with topical anesthetic compared to topical anesthetic only in reducing the pain experienced during an inferior alveolar nerve block.


METHODS
Twenty participants each received two inferior alveolar injections with a 5-minute interval between injections, one with topical anesthetic and one with topical anesthetic and a vibratory device. Each injection included a 2-minute application of topical anesthetic gel at the injection site. Local anesthetic was administered bilaterally using a 27-gauge needle with or without the vibratory device. Participants rated the pain they experienced after each injection by using a visual analog scale (VAS). A mean VAS score and standard deviation was determined per group. Data was analyzed with a paired t test (α = 0.05).


RESULTS
The group receiving the vibratory device with topical anesthetic had a mean VAS score of 21.2 mm ± 18.6 mm, and the group receiving the topical anesthetic alone had a VAS score of 38.7 mm ± 23.3 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the vibratory device and topical anesthetic significantly reduced the pain experienced during the administration of a local anesthetic injection compared with the use of topical anesthetic alone (P = 0.006).
Major, United States Air Force, DC, General Dentistry, Aviano Air Force Base, Aviano, Italy.
Michael G
MG
DiFelice
Colonel, United States Air Force, DC, Director, Dental Research, Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program, Dunn Dental Clinic, Joint Base, San Antonio-Lackland, Texas; Air Force Postgraduate Dental School, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Kraig S
KS
Vandewalle
Colonel (Ret), United States Air Force, DC. Formerly: Director of Periodontics, Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program, Dunn Dental Clinic, Joint Base, San Antonio-Lackland, Texas; Air Force Postgraduate Dental School, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. Currently: Private Practice, San Antonio, Texas.
Steven C
SC
Maller
Colonel (Ret), United States Air Force, DC, Clinical Instructor, Periodontics, Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program, Dunn Dental Clinic, Joint Base, San Antonio-Lackland, Texas; Air Force Postgraduate Dental School, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Raymond H
RH
Hancock
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014732:Vibration; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
D000779:Anesthetics, Local