title: A comparison of the effects of EMLA cream and topical 5% lidocaine on discomfort during gingival probing.
abstract: This investigation compared the use of a 5% eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream to a "standard" intraoral topical anesthetic (5% lidocaine) as a means of anesthetizing the gingival sulcus in a double-blind, split-mouth study with human volunteers. A 5-min application of EMLA in a customized intraoral splint resulted in a significant increase in the depth of probing of the gingival sulcus without discomfort compared to a similar application of 5% lidocaine. Following application of EMLA, the pain-free probing depth measured at three sites in the upper premolar region increased by a mean total of 2.8 mm compared to an increase of 1.9 mm with lidocaine. This study suggests EMLA may be advantageous in providing periodontal anesthesia where manipulation of the gingiva is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Meechan
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005881:Gingiva / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine