4% Articaine Buccal Infiltration Versus 2% Lignocaine Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block for Pulpal Anaesthesia in Mandibular First Molars

Abstract

The aim of the quasi-experimental study was to assess and compare anaesthetic efficiency of 4% articaine buccal infiltration (BI) and 2% lignocaine inferior alveolar block (IANB) for pulpal anaesthesia in mandibular first molars. Thirty-nine participants with healthy 1st molar teeth on both sides of the mandible who came for root canal treatment of adjacent teeth were recruited for the trial. All participants received 2% lignocaine IANB on 1st visit and 4% articaine BI on 2nd visit and the appointment was given at least 1 week apart. Pulpal anaesthesia onset and duration were checked by an electric pulp tester. The result showed that 4% of articaine BI secured 53.8% successful pulpal anaesthesia in mandibular first molar teeth while 2% of lignocaine IANB did 61.5%, and this difference was not statistically significant. The onset time of pulpal anaesthesia showed no significant difference between these two methods. But, the duration of pulpal anaesthesia was significantly shorter in articaine BI than in lignocaine IANB. It can be concluded that 4% articaine BI is a safe and effective method for pulpal anaesthesia in mandibular first molar teeth. But it should be used considering its shorter duration.