Pain Perception and Anxiety With Virtual Reality Distraction Versus Tell-Show-Do Technique in Restorative Treatment for Children With Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Pilot Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial

Molar Incisor Hypomineralization is a prevalent developmental condition affecting the enamel of first permanent molars and, occasionally, incisors. It presents significant clinical challenges due to the hypersensitivity and increased pain perception in affected teeth, which can make restorative treatment especially distressing for pediatric patients. Children with MIH are often apprehensive toward dental procedures, resulting in higher levels of dental anxiety that can impact their cooperation and the overall success of treatment. The management of pain and anxiety during restorative treatments is therefore crucial, particularly in this vulnerable population.

Behavioral management techniques, such as the Tell-Show-Do (TSD) approach, have been widely used in pediatric dentistry to alleviate anxiety and improve patient cooperation. However, recent advances in digital technology, particularly Virtual Reality (VR), offer novel, immersive forms of distraction that could enhance pain management by shifting the child's attention away from the dental procedure. VR distraction has shown promise in reducing anxiety and pain perception across various medical and dental settings, but its efficacy compared to traditional behavioral techniques, such as TSD, remains under-explored, especially in the context of MIH.

A recent systematic reviews of behavioral interventions in pediatric dentistry highlighted a lack of robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of VR as a distraction technique in dental settings, particularly in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The reviews specifically called for more rigorous studies to directly compare VR with established techniques like TSD in managing dental anxiety and pain perception. Given this identified gap in the literature, this study aims to address these limitations by conducting a crossover randomized clinical trial to compare VR distraction with TSD in children with MIH undergoing restorative treatment. By examining both pain perception and anxiety levels, this study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of VR and TSD, providing evidence-based recommendations for pediatric dental practitioners.