Is the mandibular nerve block passé?
1Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, 925 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90089-0641, USA. malamed@usc.edu
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|September 2, 2011
Summary
The traditional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) frequently fails in dental procedures. Alternative techniques and devices are now available to improve mandibular anesthesia success rates.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Anesthesiology
- Oral Surgery
Background:
- Effective pain control is crucial in dental procedures.
- Achieving reliable mandibular anesthesia via the traditional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is challenging.
- The IANB exhibits a high failure rate, particularly in specific anatomical locations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and relevance of the traditional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB).
- To explore whether the IANB has become an outdated technique in modern dentistry.
- To review advancements in achieving successful mandibular anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on mandibular nerve blocks.
- Analysis of factors contributing to IANB failure rates.
- Examination of alternative anesthesia techniques and devices.
Main Results:
- The IANB has a significant failure rate, causing patient discomfort and clinical frustration.
- Factors contributing to IANB failure include bone and soft tissue thickness, anatomical variations, and accessory innervation.
- Despite its limitations, the IANB remains a common method for mandibular anesthesia.
Conclusions:
- The high failure rate of the IANB necessitates the exploration of alternative methods.
- Advancements in dental technology offer improved techniques and devices for mandibular anesthesia.
- Alternative approaches can enhance the success rate of pain control in dental treatments.
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