Self-inflicted injury as a complication following dental local anaesthesia in children – case reports

Introduction. Pain or suffering associated with dental treatment is the most common reason for limiting or even avoiding visits to the dentist. Currently, pain control and anxiety reduction are important parts of dental practice. Free of pain, the patient well tolerates treatment, and by behaving peacefully gives the dentist the right conditions for precise work. Aim of the study. To present three cases of self-inflicted injury in children after inducing local anesthesia and to discuss preventive and therapeutic management. Conclusions. The injury of the lips or cheek as a result of the patient’s bite after an inferior alveolar nerve block is a common complication observed mostly in children. It is, therefore, important to keep parents/guardians informed of the possibility of such injury, and to make sure that the child does not bite on anesthetized tissues. These lesions quickly heal and require only symptomatic treatment to alleviate local ailments. Antibiotic therapy is not indicated unless the tissues become secondarily infected.