Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of pH Adjustment of the Solution of Articaine With Epinephrine on the Efficacy of Jet Anesthesia

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of pH adjustment of the solution of articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:100.00, on the efficacy of anesthesia with the usage of a local anesthesia device that is needle-free (Comfort-In), and uses pressure implementation. An additional purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the device and its acceptance by the patients.

In the present clinical research of the Dental School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, there were forty-five healthy adult participants (ASA I) with no dental or other phobia, not being pregnant or going through breastfeeding process, with a record free of any allergies caused by local anaesthetics or the intake of suppressant substances of the central nervous system (CNS), and with an intact upper central incisor jaw #11 (viable, non-inflamed pulp tissue without rehabilitation). The participants took part in the study voluntarily, after being informed about the process through a special information sheet, and then signing a printed consent form. Medical and dental record was taken afterwards, which included questions about the volunteer's general experience concerning local anaesthesia, and also clinical examination was carried out to find out whether the volunteers qualify for research inclusion. The next step was the implementation of local anaesthesia with the usage of the jet device Comfort-In in the area of the upper central incisor of the right quadrant (#11), held in two separate sessions, the second one occurring at least one week after the first one. Specifically, the double blind method was used and the anaesthetic solutions infused randomly were 0.3ml of articaine 4% with adrenaline 1/100000 and 0.3ml of articaine 4% with adrenaline 1/100000 with the addition of the regulatory solution of sodium bicarbonate 8,4%. Right after the infusion of each anaesthetic solution and every 2 minutes, vitality tests of the pulp via an electric pulp-tester as well as tests of the sensitivity of the gums via the implication of cotton forceps were held and recorded, until anaesthesia had gone away completely. During the session, while infusing the anaesthetic, an evaluation of the pain was held (visual, numerical and operational proportional scale of pain - VAS), and also, the participant replied to 6 questions by completing a corresponding questionnaire relevant to the acceptance of the technique. After 48 hours, the main researcher contacted every volunteer to record any post-operative complications.