title: Comparative Analysis Between Computed and Conventional Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was to compare the computed and conventional inferior alveolar nerve block techniques in symmetrically positioned inferior third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both computed and conventional anesthetic techniques were performed in 29 healthy patients (58 surgeries) aged between 18 and 40 years. The anesthetic of choice was 2% lidocaine with 1: 200,000 epinephrine. The Visual Analogue Scale assessed the pain variable after anesthetic infiltration. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Likert Scale. Heart and respiratory rates, mean time to perform technique, and the need for additional anesthesia were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain variable means were higher for the conventional technique as compared with computed, 3.45 ± 2.73 and 2.86 ± 1.96, respectively, but no statistically significant differences were found (P > 0.05). Patient satisfaction showed no statistically significant differences. The average computed technique runtime and the conventional were 3.85 and 1.61 minutes, respectively, showing statistically significant differences (P <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The computed anesthetic technique showed lower mean pain perception, but did not show statistically significant differences when contrasted to the conventional technique.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pernambuco, Camaragibe †Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Caicó ‡Laboratory of Investigative Pathology, University Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Madeira
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Jimmy Charles Melo
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barbalho
authors.forename: Tasiana Guedes de Souza
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Thiago de Santana
authors.initials: Tde S
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Ricardo José de Holanda
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
authors.forename: Hécio Henrique Araújo
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: de Morais
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000187:drug effects*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000502:physiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008012:Lidocaine; D004837:Epinephrine