Using a Narcotic to Enhance the Numbing Effect of the Local Anesthetic Lidocaine on Inflamed Molar Teeth

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH (NIDCR) · Jan 18, 2000

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The clinical efficacy of local anesthetics is reduced in the presence of inflammation, sometimes limiting the ability to perform necessary therapeutic procedures. Recent studies suggest, however, that opiate receptors are expressed in the dental pulp and oral mucosal tissues and increase in number under conditions of inflammation. The proposed clinical study will assess the therapeutic effectiveness of the opioid, fentanyl, to enhance the profoundness of the local anesthetic lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine when used on inflamed mandibular molar teeth. Delivering lidocaine 2% with 1:100...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Men and women whose mandibular molars are either: intact, caries-free, and have no signs or symptoms of pulpal disease or carious, symptomatic (to hot/cold and percussion), but have no evidence of pulpal necrosis or infection. At least one intact caries-free contralateral mandibular molar must be present.
• • Individuals should be healthy and over the age of 16.
• • No history of stomach ulcers, asthma, lung problems, or allergy to lidocaine, fentanyl or any of the standard or test medications.
• • No body weight which is 30% greater or less than standard height-weight tables.
• • No pregnant or lactating females. Also, no females who are sexually active and will not submit to a pregnancy test.
• • No history of taking any analgesics or antihistamines for 24 hr period prior to study.
• • No patients taking steroids or other anti-inflammatory drugs.
• • Willing to accept root canal treatment without parenteral sedation.
• • Willing to participate in data collection procedures.
• • No clinically significant medical history or signs of debilitation including patients with heart, respiratory, renal, or liver dysfunction.
• • No history of personality disorder, alcohol abuse or drug abuse.
• • No chronic use of drugs which would confound assessment including barbituates, anticonvulsants, tranquilizers, antiarrythmics, beta blockers, and antidepressants.
• • No patients whose mandibular molars are heavily restored (i.e., crowns, large fillings).
• • No hypersensitivity to drugs used (epinephrine, lidocaine, fentanyl).