title: Evaluation of three topical anaesthetic agents against pain: a clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare pain responses of children during local anaesthetic infiltration at bilateral buccal sites prepared with topical application of EMLA 5% cream, benzocaine 18% gel or lignocaine 5% ointment and also to find out the rapidity of onset of action of these agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  60 healthy children aged 6 to 12 years old, received bilateral buccal infiltration following application of topical anaesthetic agents applied in a double blind design. Pain responses were compared based on subject self report using visual analogue scale (VAS) and operator assessment using Sound -Eye -Motor (SEM) scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Benzocaine gel had the rapidest onset of action. EMLA 5% cream proved to be superior in pain reduction compared to benzocaine and lignocaine. Taste acceptance was better with benzocaine gel. Further studies are required for EMLA cream with an improved formulation more suitable for mucosal application before its routine use in dentistry.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. r.rashmi@lycosmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sudha
mesh_terms: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005782:Gels; D005881:Gingiva / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D009824:Ointments; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine; D001566:Benzocaine