The effectiveness of infiltration anesthesia in the mandibular primary molar region.

The purposes of the present study were to determine the effectiveness of infiltration anesthesia in the mandibular primary molars, and how patient age, tooth location, and anesthetic type relate to the quality of anesthesia. Data were derived from 66 subjects, 42-72 months old, requiring restorative treatment in mandibular primary molars. Infiltration anesthesia was provided with mepivacaine hydrochloride 2%, prilocaine hydrochloride 4%, and articaine hydrochloride 4%. After 10 min, probing, rubber dam placement, and drilling were initiated. Procedures were videotaped and ratings of comfort and behaviors were made using the SEM scale and the Frankl Behavioral Scale. The conclusions were: 1) sixty-five per cent of the subjects experienced little or no pain; 2) children who demonstrated little or no pain during injection were likely to be comfortable during successive procedures; 3) there was a high relationship between children behaving cooperatively and comfort during procedures; and 4) the quality of anesthesia was not significantly related to tooth location, age, or type of anesthetic agent.

Use of articaine local anesthesia in children under 4 years of age--a retrospective report.

A retrospective survey reports the use of articaine hydrochloride as an anesthetic in children under 4 years of age. Data was collected by a record audit in two pediatric dentistry offices. Articaine anesthetic was administered to 211 patients, 29 having additional administrations of the agent. In some instances, the dosages exceeded the recommended concentrations for older children. No adverse systemic adverse reactions were noted on the charts or known to the clinicians. The present report provides initial evidence for the use of articaine in children under 4 years of age.