Clinical Evaluation of Overall Efficacy and Pain Perception of Ultrasonic Oscillating Tips and Conventional High-speed Burs for Removal of Dental Caries in Children in Age-group of 6–8 Years

AIM: To clinically evaluate the overall efficacy and pain perception of ultrasonic oscillating tips and conventional high-speed burs to remove enamel and dentinal caries in children of ages 6–8 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bilateral deciduous canines with caries involving enamel or enamel and dentin were excavated by using a high-speed airrotor on one tooth and ultrasonic oscillating tips on another tooth in the same appointment. The overall response of the patient, both ultrasonic oscillating tips and airrotor along was recorded by Wong–Baker's Facial Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS) along with time taken to make each cavity and noise level generated by high-speed and ultrasonic system. RESULTS: Evaluation of WBFPS after every method of caries excavation showed that 84% of subjects in the ultrasonic group reported score of 0 as compared to only 24% of subjects in the airrotor group. Score 2 was reported by 16% of the subjects in the ultrasonic group and 32% of the subjects in the airrotor group. Score 4 was reported by 44% of the subjects in the airrotor group. Ultrasonic groups reported more time to remove caries as compared to the airrotor group. The ultrasonic group reported less noise as compared to the airrotor group and the difference between the two was significant. CONCLUSION: Patients preferred the ultrasonic method for caries excavation because of less pain and noise. The use of ultrasonic oscillating tips is as effective in caries excavation, less painful, and more time-consuming than the conventional airrotor. SIGNIFICANCE: Ultrasonic oscillating tips can be successfully used in pediatric dentistry to aid patient cooperation and reduce pain during caries excavation. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kenjale MA, Shah P, Desai S, et al. Clinical Evaluation of Overall Efficacy and Pain Perception of Ultrasonic Oscillating Tips and Conventional High-speed Burs for Removal of Dental Caries in Children in Age-group of 6–8 Years. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):251-258.