FAQ

The current problem

The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block is the most common injection that is administered in dentistry (Khalil, 2014) and an injury to the IAN can have serious neurological complications (Holmes et al., 2004). Nerve injuries are caused mainly due to iatrogenic trauma to the trigeminal nerve (TN). These injuries are associated with a 34% (Pogrel&Thamby, 2000) to 70% (Renton et al, 2009) incidence of neuropathic pain following local anaesthetic (LA) administration. Also, a medico-legal settlement of U$1.4million (Maine, USA) for lingual nerve injury caused by LA block exemplifies the related disability and social repercussions of these injuries (Renton, 2010).

What does AnaesthEase do?

AnaesthEase detects the nerve action potential by means of a microelectrode incorporated within the hypodermic needle which enhances the accuracy of nerve localisation and thus LA delivery. The prototype constructed successfully detected a simulated nerve action potential running in a wire buried deeply in non-vital animal tissue.

Why AnaesthEase?

There are approximately 350,000 dentists in Europe, with one dentist performing about 4 nerve blocks daily- 1.4million per day for fillings, extractions and implant surgeries. All regional nerve blocks are not without the danger of nerve damage. The risk of nerve injuries or neuropraxias is 6/10000 or 1000 neuropraxias per day. The success of any LA is the right drug, the right dose and at the right place – 3Rs. However, current techniques or devices do not achieve the 3Rs which is attested to previous medico-legal settlements due to nerve damage.

The current Local Anaesthetic (LA) delivery mechanisms present with problems such as blind administration, potential nerve trauma and damage, safety considerations for clinicians and patients and increased patient anxiety complaints.

Firstly, during an inferior alveolar nerve block anaesthesia, medical practitioners are administrating LA blind which could lead to nerve trauma for the patient and increased stress for the dental practitioner. Secondly, safety is of paramount importance and current techniques do not deliver anaesthetic in a completely safe manner- either into a nerve or accidental administration into a vessel. Lastly, patients who present to dental clinics suffer from varying degrees of anxiety but this is mainly due to possible failure of adequate nerve anaesthesia- again, not getting the right drug at the right place.

Hence, the very need for a device that address all the concerns of both medical practitioners and patients.