Clinical Comparison: Fast-Acting and Traditional Topical Dental Anesthetic.
A randomized, nonblinded clinical trial compared the effectiveness of an application method of a fast-acting refrigerant topical agent to a 20% benzocaine gel topical. In a split-mouth design, right and left anterior middle superior alveolar injections (N = 30) were administered with a 27-gauge needle at least 24 hours apart with preinjection topicals. Using a cotton-tipped applicator, a refrigerant topical was applied for 5 seconds and 20% benzocaine gel for 2 minutes on opposite sides at 2 separate appointments. Subjects self-reported pain perception after each injection using a visual analog scale (VAS). The mean VAS ratings demonstrated no significant difference between the 5-second application of the refrigerant (M = 16.2, SD = 17.7) and the 2-minute application of 20% benzocaine topical gel anesthetic (M = 17.9, SD = 18.2). Fifty-seven percent of the subjects reported greater pain reduction with the refrigerant, 33% reported greater pain reduction with 20% benzocaine, and 10% reported no difference. Results suggest the described method of application of a refrigerant as an oral topical anesthetic has a faster onset and provides similar benefit in pain reduction compared with 20% benzocaine gel. The refrigerant was easy to accomplish and well received by subjects, indicating potential for routine use in dentistry.
RIDE Program Director, University of Washington School of Dentistry, Spokane, Washington.|Professor, Eastern Washington University, Department of Dental Hygiene, Spokane, Washington, and.
Arthur C
AC
DiMarco
Associate Professor and Director of BSDH Degree Completion Program, Eastern Washington University, Department of Dental Hygiene, Spokane, Washington.
Ann O'Kelley
AO
Wetmore
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D050785:Cryoanesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007267:Injections; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D004980:Ethane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005466:Fluorocarbons
D000777:Anesthetics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001566:Benzocaine; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005782:Gels; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D008012:Lidocaine; C552522:pain ease refrigerant; C063006:norflurane; D004980:Ethane; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C403631:1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane
Benzocaine; Local anesthesia; Preinjection; Refrigerant; Topical agents; Vapocoolant spray