Effect of Menstrual Phase on the Anesthetic Efficacy of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Patients With Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis in Mandibular Molars

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand if the phase of the menstrual cycle affects how well an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) works to control pain in women aged 20 to 40 years with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in their lower molars. The study explores whether anesthetic success varies across five menstrual phases—menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and premenstrual—due to hormonal changes that may influence pain perception and nerve response. Participants will receive a standard IANB injection using 1.5 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine. The anesthetic effect will be tested by applying a cold stimulus and measuring pain during dental access preparation using the Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale (HPVAS). The study groups are based on self-reported menstrual phases, which are verified and kept confidential from the treating clinician to ensure unbiased assessment. During the study, participants will undergo pain testing immediately after anesthesia and during the dental procedure. Researchers will record anesthetic success, defined as no or mild pain response, and failure if moderate to severe pain occurs. Data analysis will compare success rates across menstrual phases while considering factors like age and initial pain. The study will last approximately nine months, including recruitment and data analysis phases.

Effect of Menstrual Phase on the Anesthetic Efficacy