ABSTRACT
Background: Local anesthesia injection for tooth extraction of primary molars is one among the causes of avoiding dental visits in children. Voice control and hand over mouth exercise are invasive and considered the least accepted techniques, a more accepted technique for children and their parents was needed.
Aim:To evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) distraction on dental anxiety and pain perception to local anesthesia injection in pediatric dental patients during primary teeth extraction.
Material and Methods: A prospective, parallel two arms randomized; clinical trial was performed on seventy-two children. Patients were (7-11) years old with unilateral carious non-restorable mandibular primary first molars required local anesthesia (LA) for extraction. Group (A) received treatment wearing virtual reality (VR) device and Group (B) received treatment using tell, show and do behavior management technique. Anxiety levels were measured using heart rate (HR) measuring before and after the injection while pain perception was assessed immediately after the injection using the Face, Legs, Activity, Crying and CONSOL ability scale (FLACC)and Facial Image Scale (FIS).
Results: There was a statistically significant difference in heart rate mean values between both groups. Virtual reality (VR) distraction group showed better results in lowering anxiety during dental treatment.
Conclusion: Virtual reality (VR) device for reducing anxiety to local anesthetic injection in children undergoing extraction of primary teeth.