Challenges in Developing an Effective Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Guide.

Objective: The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is a useful technique in dentistry, but it sometimes fails due to operator and anatomical factors, leading to complications. We aimed to create an IANB guide to enhance the safety and reliability of the IANB. Methods: Three types of IANB guides were designed for a skull model using the dentition as a fixed point and the lingula as a target point. The dentition and mandible were digitized using an intraoral scanner and computed tomography, respectively. The guides were created using a 3-dimensional printer. We assessed the accuracy, production time, material usage, and cost of the 3 guides and explored the potential clinical applications. Results: The average error between the needle tip positions of the completed guide and the design was 0.63 mm. The average printing time was 201 minutes. The average amounts of biocompatible resin and support material used were 36 g and 52.3 g, respectively, with an average material cost of $21.60. Conclusion: Although the IANB guide required more time and resources than conventional IANB techniques, it exhibited suitable precision and holds promise for enhancing IANB safety and efficacy. However, its accuracy must be improved for clinical application.