Single Buccal Injection for Anesthesia of Upper First Molar

Aims: A clinical trial was carried out to assess the efficiency of a single buccal injection to achieve anesthesia of the buccal aspect of the upper first molar instead of the traditional two injections. Materials and Methods: The subjects included in the clinical assessment were those needing extraction of an upper first molar of either side. For the purpose of comparison, the sample was randomly divided into two main groups: Group I (control group) which included 100 subjects who were to receive two buccal injections and a single palatal injection before extraction. While Group II (trial group) included 100 subjects who were to receive a single buccal injection and a single palatal injection before extraction. The following data were recorded: Pain on needle insertion, pain on deposition of solution, onset of surgical anesthesia and adequate surgical anesthesia. Results: The first criterion recorded was pain on needle insertion where the results showed no significant difference between both groups. The second criterion was pain on deposition of solution. Here the results also showed no significant difference between both groups in this aspect. For onset of surgical anesthesia, no significant difference was shown between both groups. In regard to pain grade experienced during surgery for both groups, the results showed that grade A anesthesia was recorded in 95% of patients in group I , whereas in 93% of patients in group II. Grade B anesthesia was recorded in 5% of patients in group I and in 7% of patients in group II. Statistically speaking, no significant difference was disclosed in regard to pain assessed during the extraction of the tooth between both groups. Conclusions: The achievement of successful local anesthesia is a continual challenge in dentistry. Any suggested new approach for achieving adequate anesthesia for either the maxilla or mandible as long as it is safe and effective can be recommended for routine dental care.