Injection pain of the inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with irreversible pulpitis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to determine the pain associated with needle insertion, placement, and solution deposition for the conventional inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block in patients with irreversible pulpitis.


METHODS
One hundred two emergency patients with irreversible pulpitis received IAN block injections using 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. The patients recorded pain of the 3 injection stages on a Heft-Parker visual analog scale (VAS).


RESULTS
Moderate-to-severe pain may occur 57% to 89% of the time with the IAN block. Needle placement was significantly more painful than needle insertion for men and significantly more painful than either insertion or deposition for women (P < .03). There was no statistical difference between the pain for men or women with respect to needle insertion, placement, or deposition pain (P > .05). Deposition of 0.2 to 0.4 mL anesthetic during placement did not significantly reduce placement pain for either gender (P = .753).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, 57% to 89% of patients presenting with irreversible pulpitis have the potential for moderate to severe pain with the IAN block.
McCartney
Melissa
M
Section of Endodontics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Reader
Al
A
Beck
Mike
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000779:Anesthetics, Local