Gow-Gates technique: a pilot study for extraction procedures with clinical evaluation and review

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 different volumes of anesthetic solution for a premolar-molar extraction, and to determine the onset of complete mandibular conduction anesthesia via a Gow-Gates mandibular block. One operator performed 32 blocks with a 27-gauge needle on patients who required a dental extraction: 16 blocks using 1.8 mL of anesthetic solution, and 16 blocks using 3.6 mL of anesthetic solution. The parameters evaluated were frequency of successful anesthesia and onset of complete anesthesia. Significant differences (P < .005) were observed in the evaluation of volume: the 3.6 mL group yielded a higher success rate (82.5%) than the 1.8 mL group (17.5%). The onset of complete conduction anesthesia was achieved in 8 minutes by 56% of the subjects (9 of 16) with 3.6 mL and only one subject in 16 (6%) with 1.8 mL. A larger volume of anesthetic solution (3.6 mL) is required to achieve a higher success rate and a faster onset of action for a dental extraction without the use of reinforcement anesthesia. The volume of anesthetic solution is indirectly proportional to the onset of complete anesthesia. A premolar-molar extraction can be done, with 3.6 mL of anesthetic solution, in more than 50% of the patients 8 minutes after injection.