Evaluation of audio analgesia for restorative care in children treated using electronic dental anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of music and white noise in the management of sensitive children treated using electronic dental anesthesia for restorative care. Sound (music and random noise) was used in combination with electronic dental anesthesia in 16 pediatric patients, who have been found to have low pain tolerances during operative procedures under electronic anesthesia alone. Pain was assessed by means of two scales, the color scale and the sound, eye and motor scale. Behavior was assessed through use of the North Carolina Behavior Rating Scale. The comfort was evaluated mainly during penetration of the dentin-enamel junction of the tooth. A procedure involving music and "noisy" music has been effective in 14 children. The music promoted relaxation, whereas the "noise" in combination with electronic signals suppressed pain. It has been demonstrated that audio analgesia and electronic dental anesthesia are quite compatible and may be used with considerable success in combination in difficult circumstances.