UCSF

The purpose of this study was to compare the pain experiences of pediatric dental patients with the use of a buffered local anesthetic versus customary non-buffered local anesthetic. Twenty subjects, between ages nine and twelve, were enrolled in this prospective, double-blind, randomized, crossover trial stratified by gender. The clinician screened, examined, and delivered both types of anesthetic, and patients were evaluated for pain after injection using Visual Analog Scales (VAS). Results showed pain scores for buffered anesthetic to trend lower, although the difference was not statistically significant from that of the conventionally available anesthetic. Data demonstrated safety in pediatric subjects. This study has developed a framework to further test local anesthesia at physiologic pH in pediatric dental patients.