Efficacy of intraosseous injections of anesthetic in children and adolescents.

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of the intraosseous (IO) injections of anesthetic as a primary technique in children and adolescents.

Study Design: A cohort of 181 children and adolescents underwent a total of 225 sessions of IO injections of 4% articaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine using the Quick Sleeper 2 system.

Results: Evaluations could be performed in 215 sessions (171 patients, 247 teeth), yielding success rates of 91.2% (sessions) and 91.9% (teeth). The success rate was 95% (133 of 140) for temporary teeth (endodontics 96.6%, restorations 100%, extractions 88%) and 87.9% (94 of 107) for permanent teeth (endodontics 92.3%, restorations 89.9%, extractions 75%). No difference was noted in terms of age (P > .05). No cases of biting of mucosa or postinjection pain were noted.

Conclusions: The IO injection of anesthetic using a computer-controlled osseous perforation and delivery system can be considered as a good alternative or supplement to classic infiltration techniques in children and adolescents.