Intra-oral topical anaesthetics: a review.
OBJECTIVE
This review considers the use of topical anaesthetics in the mouth to reduce the discomfort of local anaesthetic injections and intra-oral operative procedures.


METHODS
Electronic literature search using Pub Med, manual search of references within papers found by the primary search and manual searching of abstracts from scientific meetings.


METHODS
The articles selected for this review investigate or used topical anaesthesia in dental procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of topical anaesthetics does not guarantee pain-free dental local anaesthesia. Efficacy is dependent upon the duration of application and the gauge of needle used. Evidence is available that the use of topical anaesthesia alone is sufficient to perform some intra-oral procedures including periodontal manipulations, operative dentistry and oral surgery.
Meechan
J G
JG
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. j.g.meechan@ncl.ac.uk
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D009055:Mouth
D000779:Anesthetics, Local