Comparison of Computer-Controlled Intraligamentary Local Anesthesia and Conventional Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Primary Molar Extractions: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background/Objectives: The study evaluates pain perception in children aged 5–9 during dental extractions, comparing intraligamentary anesthesia (ILA) delivered with a Computer-Controlled Local Anesthetic Delivery System (CCLADS) vs. the traditional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). Methods: A randomized clinical trial with 60 healthy, cooperative children measured pain both subjectively using the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS) and objectively using the Sound-Eye-Motor (SEM) scale. Results: Results showed significantly lower mean pain scores with CCLADS during anesthesia administration: WBFPRS was 2.0 ± 2.2 vs. 6.9 ± 2.6 for IANB (p < 0.001). Objective SEM scores during anesthesia delivery were also lower with CCLADS (3.7 ± 0.8) compared with IANB (5.7 ± 1.2) (p < 0.001). During the extraction itself, SEM scores did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: The authors conclude that ILA via CCLADS reduces discomfort during anesthesia without compromising anesthetic effectiveness.