title: The effect of a lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic on pain and discomfort associated with orthodontic elastomeric separator placement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The initial placement of orthodontic elastomeric separators can be uncomfortable and painful. Therefore, it is important to relieve this disturbing sensation to create a discomfort or pain-free orthodontic visit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic on pain and discomfort associated with the placement of orthodontic elastomeric separators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty subjects aging between 20-35 years were included in this study. In the maxillary arch, a lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic was placed around the ginigval margins of the premolar and molar on side. On the other side, a placebo agent was placed around the ginigval margins of the premolar and molar. After two minutes, an elastomeric separator was placed between the premolar and molar on both sides. The subjects were then asked to report their findings on a Verbal Scale and a Visual Analogue Scale every second minute for a period of 10 min. The subjects were also given a questionnaire to evaluate the overall impression on the topical anesthetic use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean discomfort/pain score was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.001) with the topical anesthetic than with the placebo. Repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction determined that mean pain scores were statistically significantly low with the 10-min time duration (F(1.54,42.2)= 40.7, p = 0.001), with an estimated grand mean (8.37, 95% CI 6.75-9.98). The questionnaire responses revealed that 87% of the subjects reported an overall satisfaction and agreement with the topical anesthetic than with the placebo or no difference (13%) after the initial separator placement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The discomfort and pain resulting from the initial placement of orthodontic elastomeric separators can be significantly reduced with the lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Preventive Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait city, Kuwait. mabualmelh@hsc.edu.kw.
authors.forename: M Abu
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Melh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait city, Kuwait.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: Anesthetics; Orthodontics; Pain; Separators; Topical