A Eficácia do Emprego de Crioterapia e Aparelho Vibratório na Percepção da Dor na Aplicação de Anestesia Local em Odontologia

Abstract

Introduction: Pain resulting from local anesthesia in dentistry can negatively affect patient behavior and contribute to the development of anxiety, especially in children. In this context, non-pharmacological strategies such as cryotherapy and vibrating devices have been investigated as alternatives to reduce pain perception during needle-based procedures. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of cryotherapy and vibrating devices in reducing pain perception during local anesthesia administration in dentistry. Methodology: An integrative literature review was conducted using descriptors from the DeCS platform and searches in the PubMed and SciELO databases. Articles published between 2015 and 2024 that addressed the use of cryotherapy and/or vibration for pain control associated with local anesthesia in dental or related settings were included. After screening by title and abstract and full-text reading, 14 studies were selected for analysis. Results: The studies indicate that cryotherapy reduces nerve conduction and inflammatory response, providing immediate pain relief at the time of injection and contributing to decreased nociceptor sensitization. Vibrating devices, used alone or in combination with cold, such as the Buzzy Bee™, were associated with lower behavioral and self-reported pain scores, as well as reduced physiological signs of stress in children undergoing local anesthesia. Overall, these methods were linked to greater comfort and better cooperation during dental care. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that cryotherapy and vibrating devices are promising non-pharmacological adjuncts for managing pain and anxiety related to local anesthesia in dental practice, particularly in pediatric dentistry. However, the heterogeneity of study designs and the limited number of clinical trials in dentistry highlight the need for further research with larger samples and standardized protocols to support more robust clinical recommendations.