Aim: To evaluate the pain experience and behavior during dental injection, using the Wand computerized delivery system versus conventional local anesthesia in children and adolescents.

Method: An observational crossover split mouth study was performed on 67 patients (aged 7 to 15 years), requiring local anesthesia for dental treatments in both sides of the dental arch. Patients received both types of injections in two separate appointments, one with the use of a Computer Delivery System (the Wand STA system) and one with the traditional syringe.  The following data was recorded: pain rating; changes in heart rate; level of collaboration; patient satisfaction.  The data were analyzed using ANOVA for quantitative outcomes and nonparametric analysis for qualitative parameters.

Results:  The use of the Wand system determined significantly lower pain ratings and lower increase of heart rate than the traditional syringe. During injection, the number of patients showing a relaxed behavior was higher with the Wand than with the traditional anesthesia.  The patient level of satisfaction was higher with the Wand system may provide a less painful injections when compared to the conventional local anesthesia.

Conclusion: The Wand system may provide a less painful injection when compared to the conventional local anesthesia and it seemed to be better tolerated with respect to a traditional syringe.