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The Gauge
-the diameter of the lumen of the needle; the smaller the
number the greater the diameter of the lumen; 30-gauge
needle has a smaller internal diameter than a 25-gauge
needle; needles in the U.S. are color coded by diameter
30 Gauge (Blue)
27 Gauge (Yellow)
25 Gauge (Red)
Length
there are three lengths to dental needles: long, short
and ultrashort
Problems
-Stainless steel needles dull after 3-4 penetrations into soft
tissue causing more pain/post-operative discomfort;
change your needle
-If needles are to be penetrated into soft tissue more than
5 mm then the needle should not be bent; bending
needles weaken them
-No attempt should be made to change the direction of a
needle when it is embedded into tissue; you should
remove the needle and reinsert it completely
-Of 60 needles that separated and lead to litigation,
59 of them were 30-gauge short needles
(probably inserted too far and above rules broken)
Separated Needle
Problems
-Pain on withdrawal of needle could be due to fishhook
barbs due to errors in manufacturing or too hard contact
against bone
-Needle should be recapped immediately after it is withdrawn
from a patients mouth; avoids unintentional sticks
-Never put an uncapped needle on the tray for yourself or
someone else to inadvertently be stuck; always recap the
needle after you have given any injection
References
Malamed, Stanley. Handbook of Local Anesthesia. 5th Edition. Mosby.
2004