Enhancing pediatric comfort: a comprehensive approach to managing molar-incisor hypomineralization with preemptive analgesia and behavioral strategies.

Abstract

Preemptive analgesia is an important strategy used in pediatric dentistry to intercept pain signals in neural pathways early, thus mitigating the perception of pain and enhancing overall patient comfort. Pedodontists often encounter challenges in conducting the therapy and managing uncooperative patients, when addressing enamel defects of the Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) type. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the impact of preemptive analgesia on optimizing behavioral management and restorative treatment strategies for immature permanent molars exhibiting severe MIH and Treatment need index 4 (TNI), through the effective control of pain. This study comprised 27 cases with MIH level 3 Posteruptive breakdown (PEB), indicating post-eruptive enamel breakdown, with initial hypersensitivity scores exceeding 4 on the Wong-Baker Scale, was conducted over 12 months, between January 2023-January 2024. Data on pediatric patients aged between 5 years and 4 months and 7 years and 1 month with varying degrees of sensitivity in their permanent first molars before the completion of the eruption process were collected. Pain intensity was systematically evaluated at six specific time points: before and after the administration of analgesic medication as well as during restorative treatment using the Wong-Baker scale and data from the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability index (FLACC). Statistical analysis for Wong-Baker scores and FLACC index indicated statistical significance (p < 0.05) for Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests, respectively t-test. The comparison of mean scores recorded before and after preemptive analgesia during rotary instrumentation moments for the Wong-Baker index (4 > 0.29) and for the FLACC index (8.47 > 1.71) indicates the positive influence of administering ibuprofen. In conclusion, preemptive analgesia, alongside standardized anesthesia, significantly improved intraoperative pain management and behavioral outcomes.