Efficacy of submucosal tramadol and lidocaine on success rate of inferior alveolar nerve block in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

The aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of additional 100 mg/2 ml tramadol and 40 mg/2 ml lidocaine applications on the anesthetic success of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (MM-SIP). One hundred and five patients diagnosed with symptomatic pulpitis in the lower first or second molars were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups ( n = 35) composed of control and two experimental groups administered submucosal tramadol and lidocaine. Preoperative pain levels of the patients were measured with Heft-Parker visual analog scale (HP VAS). Following, standard IANB with 2% lidocaine 1: 80,000 was administrated to all groups. After observation of lip numbness, 2 ml of saline in the control group, 100 mg/2 ml tramadol in tramadol group and 40 mg/2 ml (2%, 1: 80,000) lidocaine in lidocaine group were administered submucosally. After 15 min, standard endodontic treatment was initiated and the pain levels measured from access cavity preparation to pulp extirpation were measured with HP VAS. The success rate of pulpal anesthesia was 28.5% in the control group, 45.7% in the submucosal lidocaine group and 48.6% in the tramadol group. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate between the groups. Additional submucosal administration of 100 mg tramadol did not significantly increase the success of IANB applied with a combination of 2% lidocaine 1:80,000 and epinephrine in MM-SIP compared to control group.