2-Step Needle Insertion Technique to Reduce Pain in Children during Local Anesthesia

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2-step needle insertion technique to reduce pain during local anesthesia in children. Local anesthesia was performed bilaterally using conventional technique and a 2-step technique, and to compare the degree of pain using the 2-step with that using the conventional technique during local anesthesia using a pain scale.
The pain scores were significantly different between the conventional technique and the 2-step insertion technique at 5.82 ± 2.14 and 2.57 ± 2.09, respectively (p < 0.001). The subjective degree of pain based on gender, age, and Frankl’s behavior rating scale was significantly lower in the 2-step insertion technique (p < 0.001). Subjective pain levels in the area of maxilla and mandible, anterior and posterior parts were lower in the group treated using the 2-step insertion technique (p < 0.001).
The 2-step insertion technique is a simple and effective way to reduce pain during local anesthesia not only in children with a positive attitude to dental treatment, but also in children with negative attitudes, and is thought to be more effective if combined with application of topical anesthesia or distraction.