title: Effect of topical anaesthesia in patients with persistent dentoalveolar pain disorders: A quantitative sensory testing evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder (PDAP) expresses somatosensory abnormalities through quantitative sensory testing (QST), when compared to healthy controls; and that individuals with PDAP do not have somatosensory alterations after application of a topical anaesthetic gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  QST was performed in 25 subjects with PDAP (19 women and 6 men), at baseline and after topical application of benzocaine 2% (Benzotop 200mg/g, DFL) and compared to 25 matched healthy controls. After "Z" score transformation, results were analyzed using the paired "t" test and "t" test with significance level of 5%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PDAP subjects have lower pain detection thresholds confirmed through mechanical tests; and higher pain intensity report through thermal stimuli tests (heat and cold) when compared to healthy subjects. Topical anaesthesia partially reduces in 60% pain intensity of PDAP patients; and anaesthetic gel increases mechanical detection thresholds and reduces pain intensity report in dynamical mechanical allodynia tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDAP patients had abnormal thermal sensory and mechanical allodynia, which is indicative of central sensitization. Moreover, topical anaesthetic incited a significant reduction in pain intensity, and an increase in mechanical and pain detection thresholds, which could be also suggestive of a peripheral disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. Electronic address: andreporporatti@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: André Luís
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Porporatti
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: Yuri Martins
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stuginski-Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo Rigoldi
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bonjardim
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo César Rodrigues
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Conti
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels; D001566:Benzocaine
keywords: Atypical odontalgia; Neurosensory test; Persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder; Persistent pain; Quantitative sensory testing