Periodontal ligament injection: review and recommended technique

The periodontal ligament (PDL) injection is used primarily when conventional anesthesia is not fully effective, when dentists require only a short duration of anesthesia, and when a patient wants to avoid the lip and tongue numbness associated with mandibular block injections. To provide effective anesthesia and to lessen adverse reactions associated with the injection, it is important to understand the proper technique for administering a PDL injection. This article provides a literature review of the PDL injection and a review of the author's techniques, including indications and contraindications, patient considerations, site and syringe preparation, administration of the injection, and possible postoperative effects.