Aspiration test as dental anesthesia safety criterion

Abstract

Intravascular anesthetic injection can lead to acute toxic reaction even the minimal dose of the drug was administered. The aspiration test is a generally accepted standard for local anesthesia in medicine, specially designed to reduce the risk of emergency conditions. Medical instruments should be adapted for aspiration test, the local anesthetic carpule should have a retention notch, and the dental syringe plunger need to have retention elements. The aspiration test protocol may vary. For legal protection of the doctor the aspiration test result should be described in the patient's medical record.