As with all anesthesia techniques, a needle can break if the protocol is not followed. The probability of a needle breaking is rather operator-dependent (see user manual).
The needle may break if :
- The practitioner presses heavily on the handpiece during perforation (it is recommended to accompany the handpiece without forcing, with light back-and-forth movements)
- The practitioner has changed the needle axis during perforation (wrong angulation)
- Practitioner has poor support points
- The patient has made a sudden movement during rotation (it is advisable to warn the patient of the sensation of vibration he/she may feel during rotation, to avoid unforeseen gestures)
If a needle were to break, it would only break at its base in almost 100% of cases. In such cases, the needle can be easily recovered using pre-coiled forceps.
The needle is sterile, so it’s not an aggravating factor for the patient. Change the injection site and repeat the procedure, respecting the protocol.