The Effectiveness of Buffered and Non-buffered Local Anaesthetics in Maxillary Infiltration during Root Canal Treatment: A Randomised Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of buffered and non-buffered local anaesthetics in maxillary infiltration during root canal treatment (RCT).

Methods: This was a randomised double-blinded controlled study conducted over fifteen months (January 2024 to March 2025). Ethical approval was obtained from the research and ethics committee of the institution. Included were patients aged 18 years and above who presented for RCT of maxillary molars. A simple random sampling method was used to administer buffered and non-buffered LA to subjects in groups A and B, respectively. Information recorded includes: demographics, indication for the RCT, pain at the injection site, time for the onset, and comfort during the RCT. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.

Results: There were 39 (48.7%) males, 41(51.3%) females in the age range of 19-69 years with a mean±SD of 38.34±13.44. Most of the subjects were in the category of 31- 60 years with no statistical significant difference (?2=1.064, p=0.587). Comparison of pain at the buccal and palatal injection sites showed that group A had a lower mean pain score on injection than group B, which was statistically significant. The mean onset time for group A was lower than that of group B, with a statistical significant difference. Group A subjects reported more comfortable procedure 3.18(±1.66) compared to group B 4.48(±1.60) with a statistically significant difference t=-3.562, p=0.0001.

Conclusion: Buffered LA was found to have a lower pain mean score, shorter onset time, and provide more comfort during root canal therapy than the non-buffered LA.

Keywords: Root canal therapy, Buffering, Local anaesthesia, Pain