This seminar will explore the reasons and solutions for incomplete local anesthesia. A discussion about the relevant anatomy and pharmacology that leads to incomplete local anesthesia will be presented. Techniques beyond the standard inferior alveolar nerve block and armamentarium besides the standard needle and syringe will also be evaluated.

Some of the topics to be explored include the Gow-Gates Block; articaine; intraosseous and PDL injections; methods of pain reduction during injections and local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor drug interactions. Finally, a discussion about new and improved local anesthesia-related products, delivery systems and the latest research will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• The reasons that cause local anesthesia to be incomplete.
• Methods to achieve higher success in local anesthesia, especially in areas of infection or unusual anatomy.
• Understanding the use of specific local anesthetics for specific situations.
• Understanding local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor maximum doses for adults, cardiac patients and children as well as important drug interactions.
• New products such as non-injectable anesthesia, a local anesthetic reversal agent, intranasal anesthesia and Computer Controlled Injection Devices.