Application of STA-controlled anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block anesthesia in pediatric comfortable dental treatment

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2026.03.015

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of STA-controlled anterior middle superior alveolar (AMSA) nerve block anesthesia in pediatric comfortable dental treatment, and to explore its role in improving treatment compliance and reducing anxiety responses. METHODS: A total of 60 children aged 4-8 years who required non-acute conditions treatment for bilateral maxillary first and second deciduous molars from May 2024 to May 2025 were enrolled and randomly divided into the STA-AMSA group (n=30, AMSA nerve block anesthesia via STA computer-controlled system) and the traditional group (n=30, conventional buccal infiltration anesthesia). Both groups were administered 4% articaine with epinephrine as the anesthetic. Baseline characteristics, Sound-Eye-Motor (SEM) pain scores, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale scores, anesthetic technical parameters, and complication rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: During anesthesia and treatment, the STA-AMSA group showed significantly lower SEM scores in all dimensions and total scores than the traditional group (P<0.05). During anesthesia, the Wong-Baker score for needle insertion was higher in the STA-AMSA group, while scores for drug injection, needle withdrawal, and overall rating were significantly lower than those in the traditional group (P<0.05). During treatment, the Wong-Baker scores for tooth preparation and filling repair in the STA-AMSA group were significantly lower than those in the traditional group (P<0.05). The STA-AMSA group had shorter anesthetic onset time, longer duration, and higher scores for anesthetic coverage and depth than the traditional group (P<0.05). Regarding local adverse reactions, the incidence of injection site pain in the STA-AMSA group was significantly lower than that in the traditional group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: STA-AMSA anesthesia can significantly optimize the anesthetic effect in pediatric comfortable dental treatment, effectively reduce pain and anxiety responses, and has good clinical applicability and promotion prospects.

Key words: STA-controlled technology, Anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block anesthesia, AMSA, Pediatric comfortable dental treatment, Treatment compliance

CLC Number:

R782.05

Cai Tingting, Han Mengran, Fu Yongwei. Application of STA-controlled anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block anesthesia in pediatric comfortable dental treatment[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2026, 24(3): 302-307.

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