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Case report: management of broken dental needles in practice
Rahman, Naomi Clarke, Mary Stassen, Leo FA
Rahman, Naomi
Clarke, Mary
Stassen, Leo FA
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2013-10
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DENTAL HEALTH
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Abstract
It is estimated that 60,000 cartridges of local anaesthetic are used weekly in the USA for dental anaesthesia by infiltration or block injections.1 The complication of needle breakage after an inferior alveolar nerve block is relatively rare in dental practice.2 One of the first ever case series on dental needle breakage was published in 1928 by Blum, who reported 65 broken needles over a tenyear period.3 The routine use of single-use, disposable stainless steel needles made from stronger alloys has decreased this complication.4 Today, needle breakage during local anaesthesia may be attributed to a faulty needle, an incorrect anaesthetic injection technique or sudden movement by the patient in a direction opposite to the needle.5 It is important to caution the patient against sudden movement during administration of the injection. The needle should not be redirected against tissue resistance while it is embedded in tissue, as this can cause breakage to occur.6
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en