The recently published randomised clinical trial by Amirhossein Moaddabi et al., titled “Does a New Modification of the Two-Step Injection Technique for Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Reduce Pain Compared to the Conventional Technique?” (Int J Dent 2023, doi:10.1155/2023/5922663), investigates whether a novel modification of the two-step injection technique can meaningfully reduce patient-reported pain during IANB compared with the conventional method.
In this single-blind, randomised trial, a cohort of healthy adult participants (aged 20–60) were allocated to receive either the standard IANB technique or the modified two-step approach.
For the modified method, the protocol began with superficial, small-volume anaesthetic deposition via a short needle, followed by a second deeper injection through the same entry point using a longer needle and computer-controlled injection device.
Pain intensity during injection was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS), while vital signs were monitored immediately before and after the intervention.
The findings reveal a statistically significant reduction in pain scores in the modified two-step injection group compared with the conventional IANB technique across age and sex strata, with no significant differences observed in vital signs between groups.
The authors conclude that the modified two-step injection technique may offer a tangible improvement in patient comfort for mandibular block procedures.
For clinicians, dental educators and students, these results underscore the importance of technique refinement—even in seemingly routine local anaesthetic blocks—to elevate the patient experience and possibly reduce injection‐related anxiety and discomfort.
In the context of your dental practice or teaching, considering adoption of such modified protocols may align with contemporary priorities in patient-centred care.
👉 We invite you to Download and review the full article in PDF to explore detailed methodology, statistical analysis, figures (including needle insertion and injection steps), and the authors’ discussion of clinical implications and limitations.
