Comparing a dental anesthesia injector versus the traditional syringe for numbing upper baby molars in children

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess Pain and Anxiety During Infiltration Anesthesia Using Dental Anesthesia Injector Versus Conventional Syringe in Pediatric Patients

Not applicable Interventional Ain Shams University · NCT07101068

This trial tests whether a dental anesthesia injector causes less pain and anxiety than a regular syringe in 6–8-year-old children needing local anesthesia for pulpotomy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 8 Years
SexAll
SponsorAin Shams University Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Cairo, Cairo Governorate and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07101068 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, split-mouth clinical trial in which each child receives both a dental anesthesia injector and a conventional syringe injection on separate visits with random assignment of side. The trial enrolls cooperative, healthy children aged 6 to 8 who have a vital deeply carious maxillary primary molar on each side requiring pulpotomy. Pain and anxiety are measured during and immediately after injections using the Visual Analogue Scale, the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale, and physiologic measures (heart rate and oxygen saturation) recorded by pulse oximeter. The main goal is to compare immediate pain and anxiety responses between the two injection techniques.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy, cooperative children aged 6–8 with at least one vital deeply carious maxillary primary molar on each side requiring pulpotomy, no prior local anesthesia experience, and a Frankl behavior score of 3 or 4 are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Children with gingivitis, dental abscess, facial trauma, allergy to local anesthetics, recent analgesic use, or who are uncooperative would not qualify and are unlikely to benefit from this comparison.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the injector could reduce pain and anxiety during dental injections and make treatments less distressing for young children.

How similar studies have performed: Prior trials of alternative injection devices in pediatric dentistry have shown mixed but generally promising results for reducing injection pain and anxiety, though evidence is not definitive.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* normal healthy patients (ASA I)
* Undergoing the first dental local anesthesia experience
* Presence of one at least vital deeply carious maxillary primary molar indicated for pulpotomy on each side of maxilla
* Score 3 or 4 of Frankl scale of child behavior

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of gingivitis, dental abscess, facial trauma/ injury
* Administration of analgesic 48 h before randomization
* Presence of allergy from local anesthesia

Where this trial is running

Cairo, Cairo Governorate and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Dental CariesReversible PulpitisPediatric DentistryLocal AnesthesiaDental Anesthesia InjectorConventional SyringePain AssessmentVasual Analogue Scale
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.