Comparing Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Glasses to Help Children Feel Less Pain and Anxiety During Local Anesthesia

Launched by RIHAM ABBAS · Jul 9, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether special glasses that show cartoons—using either augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR)—can help children feel less pain and fear when they get local anesthesia (numbing shots) during dental treatment. The researchers want to see how children’s bodies react before and after the anesthesia by measuring things like heart rate, oxygen levels, and certain chemicals in their saliva. The goal is to find out if these fun, distracting glasses can make dental visits less scary and more comfortable for kids.

Children between 5 and 8 years old who are generally healthy, cooperative, and need local anesthesia for dental treatment might be eligible to join. Participants will first have a visit to get familiar with the dental office and to see how well they cooperate. Then, during two separate visits, they will wear either the AR or VR glasses while receiving the numbing shots. During these visits, saliva samples will be taken, and heart rate and oxygen levels will be checked to understand how their bodies respond. Parents will need to give permission for their child to take part. This study is currently looking for participants and aims to make dental care less stressful for young children.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. 5-8 year-old female and male patients.
• • 2. Cooperative patients (rating 3 or 4 on the Frankl's Behavior Rating Scale).
• • 3. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class (I).
• • 4. Patients need dental treatment under local anesthetic infiltration.
• • 5. Patients without known anxiety disorders.
• • 6. Patients with body weight that is considered normal according to their age and gender (95th percentile growth curve).
• • 7. Patients without a prior history of receiving local anesthetic.
• • 8. Patients with at least one vital primary molar with deep carious lesion on each side of the dental arch, who require to be treated under local anesthesia
• • Exclusion Criteria
• • 1. Patients with special health care needs.
• • 2. Patients on corticosteroid medications.
• • 3. Patients having known salivary disorders, such as Sjogren's syndrome.
• • 4. Parents who refused to sign the informed consent.