The purpose of this study was to determine whether electronic dental anesthesia (EDA) is a viable alternative to traditional local anesthesia for the control of pain and anxiety in patients with moderate periodontal disease. A quasi-experimental study was carried out on 12 patients. One half of each patient’s mouth was treated with local anesthesia and scaled and root planed. The other half of the patient’s mouth was treated with (EDA) and scaled and root planed. Blood pressure readings were also done at 5 intervals during this treatment. Patients filled out a pain scale before and after each side of the mouth was completed. One-way analysis of variance tests were done to determine significant differences between blood pressure by "time" and by "treatment by time". A statistically significant difference was noted for systolic blood pressure intervals 2,3, and 4 when patients were treated with local anesthesia for pain. Significant differences in diastolic pressure for EDA and local anesthesia were noted at "time 2" only using the "treatment by time" variable. Data collected from pain scales filled out by each patient was evaluated for statistical significance using a nonparametric Sign test. Results were statistically significant indicating patients reported less pain with EDA than with local anesthesia.Results suggest that EDA worked as effectively as local anesthesia for pain control without as much anxiety. This indicate that EDA may be a viable alternative to local anesthesia for many people who have periodontal disease that require some form of anesthesia for pain control during scaling and root planing.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Oral Health, Health Care Delivery
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.