Twin Mix Inferior Alveolar Nerve Anaesthesia for Transalveolar Extraction of Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: Review of Current Evidence

Abstract

Utmost recurrent surgical process executed in oral & maxillofacial surgery is transalveolar extraction (TAE) of mandibular impacted 3rd molar which consequences to surgical trauma to surrounding soft & hard tissues during the process of tooth removal. Post-operative sequalae like pain, facial swelling & sometimes trismus follow TAE. Dexamethasone is commonly used steroid post-operatively and studies have revealed clinical aids in refining patients’ quality of life (QoL). To improve the QoL after TAE of third molars, use of twin-mix anaesthesia is proposed, where a combination of local anaesthetic solution and steroid is administered as a single injection, thus, negating the requirement of additional route of administration for dexamethasone. The advantages for this technique are, solitary method for dual drug delivery, reduced sensation of sting while injecting owing to altered pH of solution, short latency period, prolonged duration of anaesthesia & amended QoL post operatively. Twin Mix inferior alveolar nerve anaesthesia is found beneficial by reducing patient discomfort and enhancing patient compliance for surgeries of the mandible.