Local Anesthesia With SleeperOne® Device vs Traditional Syringe for Restorative Procedures in Pediatric Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of the present study is to assess if there are differences on perceived pain during local anesthesia performed with SleeperOne device or with a traditional syringe in pediatric patients.

Patients responding to the inclusion criteria will be asked to participate to the study. After signing the informed consent, they will undergo local anesthesia procedure on first or second primary molars for the subsequent performing of dental filling. Teeth will be randomly allocated to the two different local anesthesia types according to a split-mouth design: first or second primary molar from one quadrant will undergo SleeperOne anesthesia, while the contralateral one will undergo local anesthesia with traditional syringe.

After the procedure, patients will be asked to assess the perceived pain with a Visual Analogue Scale from a range 0-10. VAS scales will be used to assess sensations of size (related to the two instruments), bitter and vomit.

Sample size calculation (alfa = 0.05; power = 95%) for two independent study group and a continuous primary endpoint is performed concerning the primary outcome "VAS scale for pain". An expected mean of 2.6 with an expected mean difference of 1.7 and a standard deviation of 1.84 are hypothesized [Palm et al., 2004]; therefore, 30 teeth per group are required and a total of 30 patients for the split-mouth design study should be enrolled.

Statistical analysis will be performed. Data normality of distribution will be assessed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Subsequently, the most appropriate test will be conducted to compare VAS differences between the two groups for the four variables "pain", "size", "bitter", "vomit".