414 - Efficacy and Pain of Conventional Versus Buffered Lidocaine in Children

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a buffered solution of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine would result in decreased pain perception and decreased onset time in children receiving an intraoral injection for local anesthesia. We also compared the pain perception and onset time between maxillary infiltration versus inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB).

Methods: In this double blind, randomized controlled trial, participants were treated with a buffered 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and a non-buffered solution at separate visits on opposite sides of the mouth. The order of anesthetic solution administered was randomized by coin toss. The Wong-Baker FACES scale and the Faces, Legs, Arms, Crying Consolability (FLACC) scale were used to assess pain perception. Time to onset of gingival anesthesia was measured with a periodontal probe in 15 second intervals.

Results: Fifty-five children were included in this two-visit study. All tests were 2-sided and p< 0.05 was considered significant. There was no statistically significant difference in pain perception between the buffered and standard solutions. There was no significant difference in onset time and there was no difference when comparing the infiltration versus the IANB. There was also no difference when comparing pain perception between infiltration and IANB injections.

Conclusion: There was no improvement of pain perception or onset time for children receiving a buffered anesthetic solution.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Geisinger Medical Center