Comparison of 4% Articaine Buccal Infiltration and 2% Lignocaine Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block for Invasive Dental Procedures in Primary Mandibular Molars along with Assessment of Parental Satisfaction: An Equivalence Parallel Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

This study compares two local anesthesia techniques—2% lignocaine inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and 4% articaine buccal infiltration (BI)—for pediatric dental procedures, specifically pulp therapy and extractions of primary mandibular molars. The key points are:

1. Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness of both techniques in pain control, children’s reactions to pain, and parental satisfaction.
2. Relevance: Effective, less stressful anesthesia techniques are essential for pediatric patients, especially given their heightened pain sensitivity and need for behavior management.
3. Novelty: The study addresses the limited research on articaine in children, particularly its potential to replace IANB for primary mandibular molars.
4. Applicability: If articaine proves effective, it could shift pediatric dental practices by reducing discomfort and complications associated with IANB.
5. Outcome: Articaine infiltration may provide effective pain control with less stress, improving patient cooperation and parent satisfaction.

Validated pain scales (MBPS and WBFS) and a parental satisfaction scale (PSLAS) will assess pain and satisfaction levels, helping determine whether articaine is a viable alternative to IANB.