Bite block

OVERVIEW

• Bite block

USES

Prevent damage a patient from biting down:

• when placing an device in or through the oral cavity, or
• during an intraoral procedure (e.g. endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask airway, bronchoscopy, endoscopy, transoesophageal echocardiography probe)

DESCRIPTION

• different designs available most are disposable
• Bite GardTM – inserts between the molars and prevents closure of the jaws; has a handle-like tail that rests externally on the cheek to avoid swallowing the device and for manipulating the position
• Bite blocks – have a flat bite portion that may be padded and an internal, and larger external flanged portion to prevent dislodgement; some have a port for attachment of oxygen and others an open area through which the operators protected fingers can be inserted to help manipulate a scope into position; some have a head strap

METHOD OF INSERTION/ USE

• insertion of the device between the patient’s teeth
• best performed with either an alert co-operative patient or a sedated and paralysed patient

COMPLICATIONS

• Trauma to the patients teeth or oral mucosa including bleeding
• laryngospasm
• can induce regurgitation, vomiting and aspiration
• displacement into the esophagus or airway obstruction
• injury to the proceduralist during insertion

OTHER INFORMATION

• An oropharyngeal (Guedel) airway can be used as a bite block but has a hard surface that can cause injury to the teeth, especially in patient’s with poor dentition
• a gauze taped into a roll is an improvised alternative