Effects of Mandibular Nerve Block with 4% Articaine with Epinephrine 1:100,000 on Pulpal Blood Flow Signals Recorded by Laser Doppler Flow-meter
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mandibular nerve block with 4% articaine with epinephrine 1:100,000 on pulpal microcirculation recorded by laser Doppler flow-meter in vivo.
Materials and methods: This study was approved by the Human Experimentation Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University. The experiment was performed as a part of a three-unit full-coverage porcelainfused-to-metal bridge treatment to replace a lost permanent mandibular first molar in sixteen volunteers (aged 18-25 years old). The vital and intact abutments were prepared under local anesthesia with 4% articaine with epinephrine 1: 100,000. Pulpal microcirculation was recorded using a laser Doppler flow-meter, by placing the fiber optic probe at the middle of the buccal surface of the second premolar and second molar teeth. Custom-made opaque plastic splints were used to position and to stabilize the probe and to minimize undesirable reflected light from the gingival tissues. The measurements were made before, and repeated five minutes after, a mandibular nerve block. The output signals were digitalized and fed into a lap-top computer for later analysis.
Results: The medians of pulpal blood flow signals (measured five minutes after mandibular nerve block with 4% articaine with 1:100.000 epinephrine of both premolars and molars) showed significant reduction (21.46% and 19.78%, respectively), compared to the pre-block measurements. The p values less than 0.05 was considered significant difference.
Conclusions: The mandibular nerve block with 4% articaine with 1:100.000 epinephrine caused significant reduction in pulpal blood flow signals.
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