Anesthetic efficacy of Gow-Gates versus inferior alveolar nerve block for irreversible pulpitis: a systematic quantitative review.

This review aimed to assess and compare the outcomes of the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and Gow-Gates mandibular nerve block (GGMNB) in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. A descriptive systematic review of quantitative research was conducted wherein the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA)" was adopted, and the Problem/Patient/Population, Intervention/Indicator, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) criteria were used to structure the research question. A literature search was performed using PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Ovid. Selection criteria were applied for populations over nine years of age, of either sex, with irreversible pulpitis, and articles published in English regarding conventional IANB or IANB and Gow-Gates techniques between 2009 and 2019. Prospective randomized clinical trials or randomized controlled trials were included in the review, in which anesthetic efficacy or success was measured. After screening, four articles were included. Three studies were randomized clinical trials, and two were randomized controlled trials. The validity and reliability of the individual studies were examined. There was evidence of the higher efficacy of the GGMNB technique than that of the IANB technique. However, both techniques can be mastered through training.

Concurrence of Torus Palatinus, Torus Mandibularis and Buccal Exostosis.

Torus palatinus (TP), torus mandibularis (TM), and buccal exostosis are localised, benign, osseous projections, occurring in maxilla and mandible. Etiology is multifactorial and not well established. Tori and exostoses have been associated with parafunctional occlusal habits, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, migraine and consumption of fish. Concurrence of TP, TM, and exostosis in the same individual is very rare. Concurrence of TPand TM has not been reported from Pakistan. We report a case of a 22-year female patient manifesting concurrence of TP, bilateral TM, and maxillary buccal exostoses; with possible association of abnormal occlusal stresses and use of calcium and vitamin D supplements.