In comparison with a mock periodontal ligament and conventional palatal infiltration, administration of periodontal ligament anesthesia into mid-palatal sulcus of maxillary first molar and then administering a substitute palatal infiltration into blanched collar around periodontal ligament molar site substantially decreases needle insertion and solution deposition pain, as elucidated from a prospective randomized study.

Investigators undertook this study to determine the effect of periodontal ligament injection as an aide to reduce palatal infiltration pain. Overall, 133 people were randomly given a periodontal ligament injection and substitute palatal infiltration or a mock periodontal ligament injection and conventional palatal infiltration at two distinct appointments. In mid-palatal sulcus of maxillary first molar, periodontal ligament injection was administered.

The mock periodontal ligament injection comprised of only needle insertion. All the participants then received a palatal infiltration into the blanched gingival tissue 7 mm (conventional palatal infiltration) or 3 mm (alternative palatal infiltration) from gingival collar. With the aid of Heft-Parker visual analog scale (VAS), recording of needle insertion and solution deposition pain was done.

The combination of periodontal ligament injection and alternative palatal infiltration led to a remarkable reduction in mean VAS ratings for needle insertion and solution deposition pain. Table 1 shows the reduction in occurrence of moderate/severe pain for needle insertion and solution deposition.

Hence, providing periodontal ligament anesthesia is valuable for the management of palatal infiltration pain.