Efficacy of Computer-Controlled Articaine Delivery for Supplemental Intraoral Anaesthesia

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate quality and safety of supplemental intraoral anesthesia periodontal ligament anaesthesia (PDL) and intraseptal anaesthesia (ISA) after computer-controlled articaine delivery. Method. 54 ASA I volunteers randomly divided into 2 groups participated in this study. 0.4 ml of 4% articaine with 1:100.000 epinephrine were randomly administered with computer-controlled local anaesthetic delivery system on the mesial and distal side of maxillary lateral incisor for ISA or PDL. An electric pulp tester was used to test the pulpal anaesthesia, in 2-minute cycles for 60 minutes. Anaesthesia was considered successful when 2 or more consecutive no-response at 80 readings were obtained. Soft-tissue anaesthesia was measured by pin-prick test. Results. Success rates for ISA and PDL were 77.8% and 55.6% respectively, but difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Duration of complete pulpal anaesthesia was significantly longer (p<0.05) with the ISA in comparison to the PDL. The width of anesthetizied field was significantly greater (p<0.05) with the ISA than with the PDL, both for attached gingiva and oral mucosa. No side effects were recorded during the study. Conclusion. The results of this study indicate that the ISA technique is successful in obtaining complete pulpal anaesthesia of upper lateral incisors and soft-tissue anaesthesia in this area.