Date of Graduation

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

C. Russell Jackson

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, with 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, on teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis. 39 cases were selected where 19 received 2% lidocaine and 20 received 4% articaine. Once a diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis was confirmed and a nerve block with 2% lidocaine was administered for mandibular teeth only, either the lidocaine or articaine local anesthetic was chosen for buccal and lingual infiltrations. After 5 minutes the evaluation of anesthesia was determined in 3 stages. Stage 1: Endo Ice retest prior to access preparation, Stage 2: Access preparation, and Stage 3: Pulp extirpation. If at any time the patient experienced pulpal pain, the procedure stopped, the stage at which the failure of anesthesia occurred was documented, and supplemental anesthesia was provided. Statistical analysis revealed that no significant difference exists in the effectiveness of the two local anesthetics.

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