Single Tooth Anesthesia or Mandibular Block

The usage of giving a PDL injection with an intra-ligamental syringe in place of a mandibular block injection has gained popularity with a number of dentists. There are advantages for both the patient and dentist. For the patient, there is no tongue, lip or cheek numbness. For the dentist, the injection has a higher success rate and less set-up  chair time.

There is another reason to consider single tooth anesthesia; jury awards. Here are the results of two recent cases involving mandibular block injections.

Case 1:   Dentist administered mandibular block anesthetic through an injection to plaintiff's jaw in preparation of placement of dental bridge. Plaintiff loss sensation to right side of face. Paresthesia and neuropathy of right trigeminal nerve. Award: $840,000

Case 2:   Dentist began to administer mandibular block injection to lower left quadrant. Plaintiff immediately felt pain. Received numbness, burning and loss of taste on left side of mouth and tongue. Award: $285,000

VibraJect can be attached to an intra-ligamental syringe for single tooth anesthesia injections. The injection protocol can be downloaded on the ITL Dental web site under VibraJect and Single Tooth Anesthesia or under printable literature. It is not necessaryto spent $2000 on a device to achieve effective single tooth anesthesia. ITL Dental can also provide the intra-ligamental syringe if you need one at a low cost.