In children, both novel intraoral vibratory device and lignocaine hydrochloride 2% gel were found to be equally effective in pain alleviation during inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). 

A randomized clinical trial was performed to explore the efficacy of a novel intraoral vibratory device (lowers pain by delivering vibration at a sustained frequency as a counter-stimulation to the injection site) vs. lignocaine hydrochloride 2% gel in alleviating pain during IANB procedure in children.

The split-mouth study cohort recruited 60 children (aged 6-12 years) that required bilateral IANB for dental procedures. The vibratory device was utilized while administering IANB and lignocaine hydrochloride gel was utilized as the topical anesthetic prior to administering IANB at subsequent appointments.

The pain perception was estimated utilizing the Wong-Baker faces pain rating scale (WBFPRS) and sound, eye, motor (SEM) scale. Utilizing a pulse oximeter prior to, during, and after IANB, the oxygen saturation and pulse rate were estimated. The procured values were tabulated. Statistical analysis was done. For intergroup comparison, the wilcoxon test was utilized and for intragroup comparison of measured variables at different therapeutic phases, the Friedman test was utilized.

During IANB, the medians and interquartile ranges of WBFPRS scores recorded for lignocaine hydrochloride gel and vibratory device were 2 (0–2) and 2 (2–4) respectively. No vital differences between both the therapies in the SEM scale scores, mean oxygen saturation, and pulse rate were witnessed during the IANB procedure.

The novel vibratory device and lignocaine hydrochloride gel effectively lower pain during procedure IANB in children.