Anesthetic efficacy and pain induced by dental anesthesia: the influence of gender and menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on pain sensitivity and local anesthetic effectiveness.


METHODS
Thirty volunteers were designated into 3 groups (n = 10): group 1, women using contraceptives; group 2, women not using contraceptives; and group 3, men. Groups 1 and 2 had a buccal infiltration of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine at the upper-right canine during each one of the 5 phases of the menstrual cycle and group 3 at a randomly selected day. Pain threshold, latency period, and pulpal anesthesia were measured with an electrical pulp tester. Injection discomfort was recorded. Data were analyzed with Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests.


RESULTS
Pain threshold was higher in men; however, there were no significant differences (P > .05) in anesthetic duration and injection discomfort.


CONCLUSIONS
Injection discomfort and clinical effectiveness of local anesthetics are not related to sex, phases of the menstrual cycle, or use of oral contraceptives.
Tófoli
Giovana Radomille
GR
Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ramacciato
Juliana Cama
JC
Volpato
Maria Cristina
MC
Meechan
Jonh G
JG
Ranali
José
J
Groppo
Francisco Carlos
FC
D000278:Administration, Buccal; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects*; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D017288:Pain Threshold; D011930:Reaction Time; D012737:Sex Factors; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008012:Lidocaine; D004837:Epinephrine