Evaluation of the Effect of Adding Dexamethasone to 2% Lidocaine
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2021-08-25
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This randomized, double-blind clinical trial aimed at the evaluation of the effect of adding
dexamethasone to 2% lidocaine, given as inferior alveolar nerve block in the endodontic
management of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. One hundred and twenty four patients
received one of the three IANB injections before the endodontic treatment: 2% lidocaine with
1:80 000 epinephrine; 2% lidocaine with 1:80 000 epinephrine mixed with 2mg dexamethasone;
and plain 2% lidocaine mixed with 2mg dexamethasone. The anesthetia was considered successful
if the patients experienced no pain or faint/weak/mild pain during root canal access
preparation and instrumentation (HP VAS score <55 mm). The effect of intraligamentary
injections on maximum heart rates was also recorded.