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Grace EG, Barnes DM et al. J Dent 2003; 31: 9–12

Computerized LA systems were developed to provide precise delivery rate and controlled volume, and while some studies have shown advantages, others have not. In this study, 26 dentists gave 157 computerized (CI) and 103 traditional injections (TI) to 26 patients receiving different treatments.

On a 1–10 scale, dentists rated mean CI anaesthesia at 91 for profundity and patient discomfort at 2.3; scores for TI were 9.2 and 2.3. Patients in both groups had similar previous LA experience, and after treatment gave similar mean scores for their experience of CI or TI. Patients who had received CI showed a preference for it, and some dentists considered it more effective for certain injections.