cornerstone of modern dental
practice and are your greatest
practice builders?
Patients routinely select
a particular dentist
based solely upon?
Patients routinely select
a particular dentist
based solely upon the
comfort level of
injections given.
steps of atraumatic anesthietic injections
Palatal injection discomfort
can very painful
reducing pain of palatal injection
Use of a refrigerant as a pre-injection anesthetic was more effective compared with a topical gel in reducing pain by patients receiving a palatal injection*
how much LA should be used on palate, why?
Use small quantity of LA on palatal tissue which is TIGHT and Painful. Too much – more than 1/4carp may
slough tissue.
what tissue state is hard to anesthesize?
inflammed
biggest challenge will probably present as a :
mandibular molar with acutely inflamed pulpitis*.
Anesthesia is difficult here at best due to the inherent inaccuracies of mandibular N. blocks but other problems are also present
lip signs and pulpal anesthesia of mandibular molars
Remember “lip signs” do not necessarily indicate pulpal anesthesia and infiltration alone here is useless due to the density to the cortical plates**
how to check for pulpal anestheisa
testing with endo ice
EPT
usually not warm
essentially use pts cheif complaint
why is inflammed tissue more difficult to anesthesize
Teeth with acutely
inflamed tissues are often VERY resistant to:
Teeth with acutely
inflamed tissues are often VERY
resistant to LA.
anesthesia and pain at inflammed tissues
Bottom line: LESS EFFECTIVE
anesthesia is resultant and a
whole lot more PAIN is perceived
pt perception when anesthesia doesnt work with inflammed tissue
fear
may have a physio and psychological challenge
how can we combat inflammed tissue and need for LA
First, use an anti-inflammatory drug in an effort to reduce inflammation, revert the pores to normal & raise the patient’s pain threshold. Such an inexpensive & simple benefit.
* IBU 600 mg one hour prior=78% effective
when should IBU be given?
You must have already seen the patient, taken history, obtained radiographs, clinical testing and made your DX* (Cannot prescribe w/o a DX or w/o examining pt.)
how to diminish the emotional coomponent of LA
– Establish rapport with the patient. Show them you CARE*
– Communicate your concern for the patient in a calm, convincing and confident manner.
– “Inform before you Perform”
– “If you feel discomfort, raise your hand and I will stop at once” (giving the patient - some control) –Jim Dryden, DDS
– Consider pre-op Anti inflammatory &/or Anti-anxiety Drugs (Anxiolytics: another Lecture)
how to ensure you have a good block
waiting for the lip signs
when to use buccal anesthesia
ONLY AFTER YOU ARE POSITIVE that you have a NUMB and FAT LIP,
do you use ANY buccal anesthesia
when to use supplemental anestheisas
after you have confirmed IA block
approach for IA block
long needle above the plan of coronoid notch/6-10mm above occlusal plane
or from opposite PM to the coronoid notch region
locate lingula and deposit posterior to it