Effect of Sweet Aromatherapy on the Injection Pain of Infiltration Anesthesia for Primary Maxillary Molars in Children: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background:

Pain during dental injections can negatively impact children’s perception of dental visits. Various methods have been explored to reduce this pain.

Aim:

This study aimed to assess the effect of sweet aromatherapy on injection pain associated with infiltration anesthesia for primary maxillary molars in 7–9-year-old children.

Design:

In this randomized, double blind controlled clinical trial, 48 children (7–9 years old) requiring infiltration anesthesia for maxillary molars were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 16 each) (I) control group receiving anesthetic injection in an unscented room; (II) anesthetic injection in a room saturated with 2% sweet vanilla scent, and (III) anesthetic injection simultaneous with exposure to 2% sweet vanilla scent for 30 sec. Subjective pain was measured using the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, while objective pain was assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) behavioral scale. Heart rate (HR) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were also recorded as physiological indicators. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results:

The FLACC scores and HR in the intervention groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P = 0.05). Regarding SpO₂, only the difference between the control and saturated room groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in Wang–Baker score between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Two percent sweet vanilla scent can be a successful distraction method to reduce injection pain during infiltration anesthesia for maxillary molars in children aged 7–9 years. Further research in different age groups with a larger sample size seems necessary to strengthen the evidence.