A SPERIMENTAL STUDY TO UNDERSTAND UP TO WHAT AGE IANB CAN BE AVOIDED IN THE CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF THE MANDIBULAR FIRST MOLAR IN A PAEDIATRIC PATIENT

Introduction:The aim of this study was to assess up to which age infiltration anesthesia is an effective technique in treating carious lesions of first permanent molars in the paediatric age and if differences exist between males and females. Material and Methods:A total of 51 teeth from 48 different patients aged between 6 and 14 years were included in the study. Theanesthetic solution used was 1.8 ml of 2% mepivacaine with 1:100000 epinephrine. The effectiveness of anesthesia was assessed by electrical pulp test after 3, 5, 7 and 10 minutes. Results:In 56.9% of treated cases a single mandibular infiltration was sufficient to induce complete pulpal anesthesia of the element to be treated. Under 10 years of age, the infiltration technique was effective in 85.2% of cases. The success rate of anesthesia also decreased significantly and not linearly in function of age. The success of infiltration anesthesia was not related to gender. Conclusion: Mandibular infiltration anesthesia is a successful technique for most patients under 10 years (success rate : 85.2%) especially in the youngest subjects, with no differences between males and females. After this age that success rate dramatically drops.