Published in:
01-10-2020 | Disorders of Intellectual Development | Original Scientific Article
Self-induced soft-tissue injuries following dental anesthesia in children with and without intellectual disability. A prospective study
Published in: European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry | Issue 5/2020
Login to get accessAbstract
Purpose
Self-induced soft-tissue injuries (SSI) are reported as local anesthesia complications, particularly in children. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of SSI following dental anesthesia in children with and without intellectual disability.
Methods
241 children receiving dental treatments with local anesthesia were divided into 2 groups: A, children without intellectual disability (159 individuals, 299 injections); B, children with intellectual disability (82 individuals, 165 injections). Each group was divided into subgroups according to age, injection technique and dental treatment. Two days after the dental procedure, a phone survey was conducted to determine the presence of SSI.
Results
The frequency of SSI in group B was 19%, with no differences in relation to gender and age. In group A the frequency of SSI was significantly lower (9%; p = 0.002; Chi-square test); the children in the ≤ 6 years-old subgroup experienced a higher frequency of SSI (p = 0.002). The lower arch was at major risk of SSI in both groups (p = 0.002). According to a multilevel approach group (p = 0.001) and injection technique (p = 0.0001) significantly influenced SSI; no influence of dental treatment is evidenced.
Conclusions
SSI are common complications of local anesthesia in young children and individuals with intellectual disability.