A comparative study: classical, Akinosi, and Gow-Gates techniques of mandibular nerve block.

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness and the degree of patient acceptability of the three techniques of mandibular nerve block, namely the classical, the Akinosi and the Gow-Gates. Forty five patients with mandibular posterior tooth/teeth indicated for extraction were chosen and divided equally into three groups to represent the three techniques of mandibular nerve block. Following the administration of the local anesthetic, the patients were evaluated using the evaluation sheet prepared for the study. Tabulation and analysis of the collected data followed. Results show that the Gow-Gates technique was the most effective in inducing anesthesia while the Akinosi technique appeared to be the most acceptable among the patients.