An ex vivo comparison of pressures within dental pulp space using conventional anesthetic technique versus needle-mounted obturator.

INTRODUCTION: The intrapulpal (IP) injection technique is 1 of several ways of obtaining profound anesthesia. There is evidence to suggest that pressure is the primary factor in obtaining anesthesia using IP injection. This is an ex vivo comparison of pressures within dental pulp space using the conventional anesthetic technique versus a needle-mounted obturator technique. METHODS: Twenty extracted anterior and premolar teeth were accessed with a high-speed 169L bur. A saline-filled tube connected to a digital pressure gauge was attached to the apical 10 mm of each tooth in a fixed mount. One operator performed all the injections under moderate pressure. Each tooth was injected twice; first, the tooth was given an IP injection with a normal setup, and then the same tooth was given an IP injection with the modified obturator syringe. The pressure at the apex was recorded for each tooth. A paired sample t test was completed to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: The pressure generated was considerably higher for the obturator group in every tooth when compared with the normal group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: IP injection with the obturator resulted in increased pressure at the apex of each tooth. This pressure increase may allow for increased anesthesia when IP injections are indicated.