Evaluation of the Effect of Buffered Anesthetic Solution (Lidocaine 2%) in the Effectiveness of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Injection During the Treatment of Mandibular Primary Molars

In a prospective, randomized clinical trial and triple-blind, split mouth study, 40 children aged between 7 to 10 with bilateral mandibular primary molars were diagnosed with pulpitis. Random numbers between 1 to 40 were assigned to patients, with some receiving buffered lidocaine at their initial appointment while others received unbuffered lidocaine. The solutions have been switched up for the second session, which has been set for one week later. The test agent was 2% lidocaine with 1:80.000 epinephrine buffered with sodium bicarbonate 8.4% at a ratio of 1/10, as opposed to the control agent, non-buffering 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine. Buffered lidocaine has been freshly prepared by mixing sodium bicarbonate (8.4%) with the anaesthetic solution (lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1/80.000) in a 1:10 ratio by volume. Two percent benzocaine gel is applied at the injection site for one minute before inferior alveolar nerve block injection (IANB). The investigator has assessed pain during IANB injection using the subjective Wong-Baker visual analogue scale, the objective sound, eye, and motor (SEM) scale, and the physiological pain scale (pulse rate) using a pulse oximeter. After administering the IANB injection, the investigator has confirmed the onset of anaesthesia after lip and tongue numbing by probing the gingiva every 30 seconds until there is no pain. Endo-ice has been used to assess the onset of pulp anaesthesia every 30 seconds. The effectiveness of anaesthesia has been assessed during the preparation of the pulp chamber using subjective, objective, and physiological pain scales. Finally, the numerical data will be statistically analysed, and any statistically significant values will be investigated.