A Split Mouth Trial to Compare Microneedles vs. Standard Needles in Dental Anaesthetic Delivery

The study will be completed as a two part, prospective, single-centre, randomised controlled trial. Five volunteers (dentists) will be recruited in the first part of the study to evaluate and examine the microneedle device and its use. Based on those qualitative findings (individual interviews and focus group) modifications to the microneedle device will be implemented before part two of the study commences. Twenty volunteers will be enrolled in the second part of the study. A split mouth design will be used to compare the efficacy of an array of 2x3 pyramidal wet-etch silicone microneedles of 280µm height with a standard 30-gauge short hypodermic needle in the delivery of local dental anaesthetic solution. Quantitative and qualitative measurements of the pain experienced and the depth of anaesthesia achieved will be recorded and compared.