Local anaesthesia using computer controlled local anaesthesia delivery systems

In dentistry, the injection of local anaesthesia is a great source of fear and anxiety, especially in children, owing to its associated pain and discomfort. Furthermore, severe anxiety and fear can result in increased pain perception in children and adults alike.¹ The most recent child dental health survey reported by parents of 8-year-old children that 17% of their children suffered from moderate to extreme dental anxiety compared with 12% in adults.^2,3 In addition, 52% of 12-year-olds in England reported the thought of having local anaesthetic elicited extreme anxiety.² In adults this figure was reduced to 28%.³

A number of techniques have been described in order to reduce perceived pain during local anaesthetic administration. These include reassurance and distraction, prior application of topical anaesthetic, warming and buffering of local anaesthetic solution, use of a fine needle, local site massage and slow injection technique, as well as computer controlled local anaesthesia delivery (CCLAD) systems.⁴