Australasian Dentist Issue 92

CATEGORY 80 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST Cannula has been used for various applications in medicine for more than a hundred years, most frequently for intravenous therapy. Today it is the medical and dental standard for dermal filler treatment. It is designed without a cutting edge, therefore cannulae require a portal before they are introduced into the soft tissue. A pilot or “introducer” needle is used for the initial skin penetration. The pilot needle is inserted in a 30° to 45° angle to the skin and directed in what will be the desired cannula path. The depth of needle insertion should be to the depth that you would like the cannula to pass. If you are aiming at the periosteum, the needle should pass to the periosteum. If you are hoping to pass the cannula to sub-cutaneous plane, the introducer needle should also pass to the sub-cutaneous plane. Like choice of filler, the use of needle versus cannula depends on practitioner preference. The Cannula allows for injection of the entire lip using fewer injections, potentially reducing the incidence of local side effects. Many studies have found that blunt-tipped cannulas were associated with significantly less pain, bruising, and ecchymosis compared to 27G needles when used for filler injections in the lips. As mentioned already, there is a global concensus for the use of the cannula for dermal filler of at least a 25 gauge or larger device, to reduce the incidence of cannulating a blood vessel. This therefore reduces the incidence of vascular occlusion and blindness. Cannula offers some technical advantages over traditional needles. The ability to deliver broad, multidirectional threads and aliquots of filler with fewer needle insertion sites is a distinct benefit. This means one entry point can deliver filler to a very broad and large 360 degree area, causing less pain, swelling and incidence of complications. u To learn more about prevention strategies, and to train in the use of a cannula, head over to www.dermaldistinction.com LINICAL Study with Dermal Distinction Training Academy! Cosmetic injectables in an accredited dental practice Cannula & needle technique Full face pathway designed for dentists DERMAL DISTINCTION TRAINING ACADEMY www.dermaldistinction.com 3 Belmore Road, Balwyn North 3104 (03) 9859 7859 Dr Giulia D’Anna Learn with