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Intraoral Cryotherapy on Anesthetic Efficacy in Mandibular Incisors

Evaluation of the Effect of Intraoral Cryotherapy on Anesthetic Efficacy in Mandibular Incisor Teeth With Irreversible Pulpitis

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07517367
Enrollment
98
Registered
2026-04-08
Start date
2025-12-31
Completion date
2026-08-30
Last updated
2026-04-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis (SIP)

Keywords

Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis, Mandibular Incisor, Intraoral Cryotherapy, Buccal Infiltration Anesthesia

Brief summary

The aim is to compare the contributions of intraoral cryotherapy and supplemental lingual infiltration anesthesia to buccal infiltration anesthesia in mandibular incisor teeth with irreversible pulpitis in terms of anesthetic efficacy, and to evaluate the effect of adding intraoral cryotherapy to buccal anesthesia on anesthetic efficacy.

Detailed description

Achieving profound pulpal anesthesia in mandibular anterior teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis remains a significant clinical challenge. Inflammation within the pulp tissue lowers the pain threshold and alters the local tissue environment, reducing the effectiveness of conventional local anesthetic techniques. Buccal infiltration anesthesia alone may be insufficient in mandibular incisors due to accessory innervation and anatomical variations, often necessitating supplemental techniques such as lingual infiltration or intraligamentary injections. However, repeated injections may increase patient discomfort and anxiety, highlighting the need for effective, non-pharmacological adjunctive methods to enhance anesthetic success. Cryotherapy is a non-toxic, non-pharmacological method that has been widely used in medicine for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Local cold application induces vasoconstriction, reduces nerve conduction velocity, and limits inflammatory responses, thereby potentially enhancing anesthetic efficacy. Previous studies have demonstrated that intraoral cryotherapy can improve the success of inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia in mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis. However, there is currently no clinical evidence evaluating the effectiveness of intraoral cryotherapy in improving infiltration anesthesia success in mandibular incisor teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis.The present randomized clinical study aims to compare the anesthetic efficacy of intraoral cryotherapy and supplemental lingual infiltration when used in conjunction with buccal infiltration anesthesia in mandibular incisors with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Additionally, the study evaluates whether intraoral cryotherapy can serve as an alternative to supplemental lingual infiltration for improving anesthetic success. The study also investigates the effect of vasoconstrictor-containing and vasoconstrictor-free local anesthetic solutions on anesthetic outcomes. Eligible participants diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in mandibular central or lateral incisors are randomly assigned to one of seven experimental groups receiving different combinations of buccal infiltration, lingual infiltration, and intraoral cryotherapy, with or without vasoconstrictor-containing anesthetic solutions. Pain levels are assessed using a combination of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Wong-Baker FACES scale during anesthetic administration and endodontic treatment procedures. Anesthetic success is determined based on patient-reported pain levels, electric pulp testing results, and the need for supplemental anesthesia. Additionally, thermal imaging is used to evaluate temperature changes in oral mucosa following anesthetic and cryotherapy applications, providing objective data on vasoconstriction and tissue response. This study is expected to provide clinical evidence regarding the effectiveness of intraoral cryotherapy as an adjunctive method for improving anesthetic success in mandibular incisors with irreversible pulpitis. The findings may contribute to the development of safer, less invasive anesthetic protocols that improve patient comfort and reduce the need for multiple injections during endodontic emergency treatment.

Interventions

OTHERCryotherapy

Intraoral cryotherapy will be applied using small ice packs wrapped in sterile gauze and placed into the vestibular sulcus adjacent to the target mandibular incisor. Participants will be instructed to maintain the ice pack in position for approximately 5 minutes prior to the anesthetic procedure. If discomfort occurs, participants will be allowed to briefly remove the ice pack and reapply it once comfort is restored. This intervention is intended to induce local vasoconstriction and reduce nerve conduction to enhance anesthetic efficacy.

Sponsors

Ondokuz Mayıs University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Participants diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in mandibular incisor teeth will be randomly assigned to one of seven parallel groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Each group will receive a different intervention protocol consisting of buccal infiltration anesthesia alone, buccal plus lingual infiltration anesthesia, or buccal infiltration combined with intraoral cryotherapy, with or without vasoconstrictor-containing local anesthetic solutions.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adults aged 18 to 60 years * Classified as ASA Physical Status I or II * Presence of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in a single-rooted mandibular incisor tooth * Preoperative pain score ≥8 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Wong-Baker FACES scale * Positive response to cold test and electric pulp testing * Absence of periapical pathology on preoperative periapical radiograph * No analgesic intake within 6 hours prior to treatment * Ability to understand and complete pain assessment scales * Willingness to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Age below 18 years or above 60 years * Pregnancy * Known allergy to local anesthetic agents * Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus * Presence of hypothyroidism * Diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency * Presence of Raynaud disease * Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c \>7%) * Presence of periapical pathology detected radiographically * Presence of sinus tract * Presence of intraoral or extraoral swelling * Teeth diagnosed with necrotic pulp * Presence of referred pain from another tooth or anatomical structure

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Anesthetic Success Rate During Endodontic TreatmentDuring pulpectomy procedure (up to 30 minutes after anesthesia)Anesthetic success will be defined as the absence of moderate or severe pain during pulpectomy procedures. Pain intensity will be assessed using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Anesthetic failure will be recorded if the participant reports moderate to severe pain, requires supplemental anesthesia, or shows positive response to electric pulp testing.
Anesthetic success rateDuring interventionAnesthetic success will be defined as the absence of moderate or severe pain during pulpectomy procedures. Pain intensity will be assessed using Wong-Baker FACES scale. Anesthetic failure will be recorded if the participant reports moderate to severe pain, requires supplemental anesthesia, or shows positive response to electric pulp testing.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Intraoperative Pain During PulpectomyDuring pulpectomy procedurePain intensity experienced during pulpectomy will be recorded using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at any stage of treatment before pulp extirpation.
Pain intensity during pulp extirpationDuring pulp extirpationPain intensity experienced during pulpectomy will be recorded using the Wong-Baker FACES scale at any stage of treatment before pulp extirpation.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

CONTACTCangül Keskin, PhD DDS
cangul.keskin@omu.edu.tr0905414203909

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 9, 2026