Efficacy of Frequency-dependent Conduction Blockade of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve (IAN) for Obtaining Pulpal Anaesthesia: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Original Research Article Aim: The present randomized single-blinded study was done prospectively for evaluation of the degree of pulpal anaesthesia acquired with conduction blockade of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) that was frequency-dependent. Materials and Method: 80 adult subjects (divided into 2 groups of 40 participants each serving their own control) who volunteered for the research proposal randomly received 2 IAN blocks: 1) An IAN block which was then continuously stimulated electrically for 3 minutes for the 1 st molar or lateral incisor for 6 cycles over a time period of 64 minutes; 2) An IAN block which was followed by mock electrical stimulation for 6 cycles for 64 minutes. The IAN blocks were given at two separate appointments spaced at least 7 days apart in a crossover design. Anesthesia of the first molar and lateral incisor was tested with the help of electric pulp tester. Anesthesia was regarded as successful when 2 consecutive 80 readings were acquired within 15 minutes, and the 80 reading was calibrated in the 60th minute. Results: The anesthetic success rate for the stimulated IAN block was 35% for the lateral incisor and 48% for first molar. For the IAN given mock stimulation, success percent was 18% for the lateral incisor while it was found to be 62% for the first molar. The two IAN block techniques showed no significant difference between them. Conclusions: Thus it was concluded that the nerves stimulated in the presence of frequency-dependent local anesthesia did not statistically increase the success rate of pulpal anesthesia for an IAN block.