Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of two anesthetic gels (2% lignocaine and 20% benzocaine) in reducing pain during administration of local anesthesia - A randomized controlled trial

Advancing ocular safety research: A comprehensive examination of benzocaine acute exposure without animal testing

Benzocaine is a widely employed local anaesthetic; however, there is a notable dearth of preclinical and clinical evidence regarding its safety in ophthalmological products. To address this, a comprehensive strategy incorporating in silico and in vitro methodologies was proposed for assessing benzocaine's ocular toxicity without animal testing. To collect the in silico evidence, the QSAR Toolbox (v4.5) was used. A single exposure to two benzocaine concentrations (2% and 20%) was evaluated by in vitro methods. Hen's Egg Chorioallantoic Membrane Test (HET-CAM) was performed to evaluate the effects on the conjunctiva. To study corneal integrity, Short Time Exposure test (STE) and Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) assay, followed by histopathological analysis, were carried out. Results from both in silico and in vitro methodologies categorize benzocaine as non-irritating. The histopathological analysis further affirms the safety of using benzocaine in eye drops, as no alterations were observed in evaluated corneal strata. This research proposes a useful combined strategy to provide evidence on the safety of local anaesthetics and particularly show that 2% and 20% benzocaine solutions do not induce eye irritation or corneal damage, supporting the potential use of benzocaine in the development of ophthalmic anesthetic products.

Buccal versus buccal palatal infiltration for pulpal anesthesia using 2% lidocaine and 4% articaine: A randomized controlled trial

Background

The inability in achieving complete pulpal anesthesia with standard buccal infiltration especially in cases with SIP used for maxillary teeth. The study aimed to compare the anesthetic efficacy of buccal and buccal plus palatal infiltration technique using 2% lidocaine and 4% articaine in permanent maxillary first molars with the diagnosis of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP).

Material and method

One hundred and twenty-three patients with clinical diagnosis of SIP, aged 18-50 years were randomly allocated to three treatment groups (N = 41). Group 1(BIL): Buccal infiltration technique using 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline. Group 2(BPIL): combination of buccal plus palatal infiltration using 2% Lidocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline. Group 3(BIA): Buccal infiltration using 4% articaine with 1:100,000 adrenaline. Pain intensity of patients were recorded before and after the administration of local anesthesia during endodontic procedure that is during caries removal, access preparation and pulp removal using Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale (HP-VAS). Success was defined by "no pain (0 mm)" or "mild pain (0-54 mm)" during endodontic procedure. The anesthetic efficacy rates were analyzed using chi-square tests, age differences using one-way ANOVA.

Results

The final analysis included total of 117 patients. Higher success was observed in group II (85%) in comparison to group I (69%) and group III (74%), but the difference was statistically nonsignificant (p > 0.05). Our results demonstrated a nonsignificant difference between genders in all three groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The use of buccal plus palatal infiltration and 4% articaine can provide effective anesthesia as standard buccal infiltration and 2% lidocaine for patients with SIP in maxillary first molars.

Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Topical Anesthetic Agents against Pain Associated with Intraoral Injections in Pediatric Dental Patients

Aim

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of two topical anesthetics in minimizing the discomfort related to intraoral injections.

Material and Method

For the study, 40 healthy kids between the ages of 6 and 10 were chosen. To the injection site, two topical anesthetic products were applied: lignocaine hydrochloride gel and benzocaine 20% gel. The effectiveness of the topical agents was evaluated using a four-point scale, which was previously used by Topçuoglu and colleagues to evaluate pain.

Result

A significant difference between the lignocaine group (2.1 ± 0.5) and the benzocaine group (1.2 ± 0.6) was found on a four-point scale (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Benzocaine demonstrates a higher degree of efficacy in comparison with lignocaine. However, additional research is necessary to ascertain the result of this study.

Comparative Evaluation of Electronic Acupuncture Pen and 2% Lignocaine Gel as an Intraoral Topical Anesthetic Agent in Children

Background The most exasperating aspect for pediatric patients in a dental setup is the fear and anxiety caused by injections, called "blenophobia". There are numerous local anesthetic agents available to reduce the needle prick pain. Taking into consideration the paradigm shift, there is always a possibility for alternate treatment options. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) application through an electronic acupuncture pen (Meridian Energy Acupuncture Pen W-912 GENERIC) and 2% lignocaine gel as an intraoral topical anesthetic agent in children. Method Patients aged 6 to 12 years were eligible for inclusion. The topical anesthetic agents were administered to the patients in a bilateral split-mouth technique. In Group A, 2% topical anesthetic gel was administered on the first visit on one side of the mandible and topical anesthesia through the electronic acupuncture pen was administered on the next visit, on the opposite side of the mandible. The electronic acupuncture pen was applied on one side of the mandible on the first visit, and on the next appointment, 2% topical anesthetic gel on the other side was administered in Group B. Sound, eye, motor scale (SEM) and faces pain scale-Revised (FPS) were used as tools of evaluation after local anesthesia was administered.  Results  The comparison between electronic acupuncture pen and 2% lignocaine gel using the SEM scale shows a statistically insignificant difference (p-value = 0.082). Similarly, a comparison of FPS values between both groups indicates no significant difference (p-value = 0.582). However, results show a reduced pain perception in both groups. Conclusion Topical anesthetic agents are commonly used to reduce needle prick pain in children. TENS through the electronic acupuncture pen, a revisited aid in scientific research, has proved its efficacy as a topical pain reduction measure during dental treatment. This device overcomes the shortcomings of the anesthetic gels and also nullifies the chances of overdosage, hypersensitivity, and disagreeable taste. Thus, this tool can be used in dental practice for the management of pain in children.

Local Anesthesia Onset and Pain Perception in Hemophilic and Thalassemic Conditions

The study aims to evaluate and compare the onset of local anesthesia (LA) and pain perception during endodontic treatment in hemophilic and thalassemic patients. Methods: The study included 90 patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis of the mandibular molars. Three groups (n = 30 in each group) were included. Group 1: hemophilic patients; group 2: thalassemic patients; and group 3: individuals without any systemic diseases. Onset of LA and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores was recorded immediately after the administration of local anesthesia, during the pulp exposure procedure, and during canal instrumentation, and were compared between the three groups. Frequency distribution, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis (p < 0.05) were applied. Results: The mean onset time was 46 ± 34 s in the hemophilic group, 42 ± 23 s in the thalassemic group, and 38 ± 12 s in controls, but the differences were statistically insignificant. After LA administration (LA-VAS), all three groups experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain (p = 0.048). On pulp exposure (PE-VAS) (p = 0.82) and during canal instrumentation (CI-VAS) (p = 0.55), there was no statistically significant difference in pain perception between the groups. The coefficients indicate a positive correlation between the VAS and onset time, indicating a positive reduction in the VAS following the administration of LA. Conclusions: Hemophilic patients exhibited a clinically longer average onset time for LA. However, the difference among the three groups with regard to the overall pain perception after LA administration, during and after pulp exposure, and during canal instrumentation was statistically insignificant.

Local anaesthetics in dermatological surgery: a review of adjuncts and pain reduction techniques

A variety of adjuncts for local anaesthesia (LA) exists for dermatological surgery, along with many options to reduce the pain of LA. This review aims to summarize the evidence relating to such adjuncts and methods to reduce the pain of LA. Adjuncts to LA can be an important consideration to optimize anaesthetic effect. Current evidence suggests that buffering and warming of LA fluid, along with cooling, pinching and administering vibrations to the skin are effective at reducing pain during administration. In this review, no significant difference in pain reduction was found between cooling and administering vibrations to the skin. Studies demonstrate that, overall, LA injection into distal sites is safe. However, the evidence specific to dermatological surgery is limited with regard to ways to reduce pain during LA injection and in determining the safety of LA for distal sites with confidence. Further high-quality research in the form of multicentre randomized controlled trials is required.

Pain perception following computer-controlled versus conventional dental anesthesia: randomized controlled trial

Background

The administration of local anesthesia (LA) in dental practice requires an injection which is the leading cause of patients’ fear and anxiety. Computer-controlled local anesthetic injector, designed to reduce the pain of performing local anesthesia by controlling the speed of injection. This single-blind randomised control trial aimed to compare the pain perception after computer-controlled local anesthesia (CCLA) and conventional LA.

Methods

Dental students were both test and operator group versus an experienced dentist as additional operator of the LA. Data were collected regarding gender, age, medical condition, smoking habits. Additionally, operator feedback about the handling, pain at insertion and during infiltration, excitement (Dental Anxiety Scale), and complications were assessed.

Results

Out of the 60 included participants, the majority were females (n = 41; 68.3%), medically healthy (n = 54; 90%), and did not receive medications (n = 54; 90%). While the participating students administered 62 (51.7%) injections, the experienced dentist administered 58 (48.3%) injections. The difference in pain perception on puncture between CCLA and conventional injections was not statistically significant (Sig. = 0.285); however, pain perception during injection was significantly different (Sig. = 0.029) between CCLA (1.65 ± 1.93) and conventional injections (2.49 ± 2.31).

Conclusion

The professional experience influenced the pain perception while applying the LA. CCLA did not reduce pain on puncture significantly; however, pain perception during the injection was significantly reduced in the case of using CCLA devices compared to the conventional syringe.

Reducing tumescent anesthetic injection pain by topical anesthesia pretreatment among patients undergoing endovenous radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins: Adouble-blind randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Tumescent anesthesia frequently causes the intraoperative and postoperative pain during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of varicose veins. We have to find a way to reduce pain caused by these injections. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of topical anesthesia pretreatment (TAP) on relieving needle puncture pain during administration of tumescent anesthesia among patients undergoing RFA of varicose veins.

METHODS

Eligible patients treated with RFA were recruited and randomized to either application of TAP with lidocaine-prilocaine cream (EMLA) or water-based cream (placebo). The primary outcome was patient described pain scores on the visual analogue scale (VAS) at different time points during the procedure. Secondary outcomes were technical success rate, complications, satisfaction level, expense, and extra analgesia use.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients were randomized: 32 to EMLA and 30 to placebo. Both groups had comparable baseline demographics, CEAP classification, and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). Less tumescent anesthetic needle puncture pain was found in the EMLA group (22 ± 7 vs 42 ± 8, p < .01). Pain scores of other time points were equivalent. There was less pain in EMLA pretreated area compared to non-pretreated area in the same patient during needle puncture (22 ± 7 vs 45 ± 7, p < .01), and similar phenomena did not appear in the placebo group. There was no statistical difference in complications, satisfaction level, expense, and technical success between the two groups. And no extra analgesia was used in all patients.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the routine use of TAP to reduce the needle puncture pain during tumescent anesthesia in RFA of lower extremity varicose veins.

Topical Anesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry: An Update

Topical anesthetics are very important tools for improving comfort in any dental procedure in children. different methods, techniques of achieving topical anesthesia are reported in the literature. The present narrative review focuses on explaining different types of topical anesthesia with a special focus on pediatric dentistry. How to cite this article: Tirupathi S, Rajasekhar S. Topical Anesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry: An Update. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(2):240-245.

Effect of Low-level Laser on LI4 Acupoint in Pain Reduction during Local Anesthesia in Children

Background

Pain is a multidimensional construct that involves sensory, emotional, and cognitive processes. It is an essential component of child behavior guidance. The injection of a local anesthetic agent during pediatric dental treatment is one of the most painful and distressing procedures performed, stimulation of acupoint LI4 provides an analgesic effect in the orofacial region, thus decreasing the pain during injection.

Aims and objectives

To compare and evaluate the effect of low-level laser on LI4 acupoint and surface-acting 20% benzocaine gel during local anesthesia.

Materials and methods

Children of age-group between 5 years and 9 years receiving bilateral local anesthesia were scheduled for dental treatment. Split-mouth cross-over study was planned and was divided into two groups, receiving low-level laser acupuncture on LI4 acupoint with placebo as a moist cotton swab in the first visit and 20% benzocaine gel with placebo as low-level laser acupuncture off mode in second visit and vice versa. Pain intensity was evaluated using the sound eye motor scale as subjective scale, Wong–Bakers pain rating scale. Pulse rate was measured before, during, and after the procedure using a pulse oximeter.

Results

The average heart rate, Wong–Bakers pain rating scale, and Sound Eye Motor scale were significantly lower in the group having low-level laser when compared with the group having placebo low-level laser therapy.

Conclusion

The low-level laser can be used to control pain during local anesthesia in children.

How to cite this article

Sandhyarani B, Pawar RR, Patil AT, et al. Effect of Low-level Laser on LI4 Acupoint in Pain Reduction during Local Anesthesia in Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):462–466.

Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Topical Anesthetic Agents in Controlling Pain during Intraoral Local Anesthetic Administration in Children: A Split-mouth Triple-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Aim

To compare the efficacy of lignocaine and benzocaine when applied as a topical anesthetic before intraoral local anesthetic administration in children.

Materials and methods

Forty-four patients aged between 4 years and 10 years indicated for pulp therapy of primary teeth under inferior alveolar nerve block were selected for this study. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups of 22 each. Group I (lignocaine gel) and group II (benzocaine gel) were applied before inferior alveolar nerve block. The pain scale was assessed by a trained examiner using the visual analog scale (VAS) and sound eye motor scale.

Results

Lignocaine when used as a topical anesthetic agent showed lower mean scores under both the pain scales when compared with benzocaine but the results were statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

Lignocaine and benzocaine are equally effective when applied as a topical anesthetic agent. But lignocaine was more preferred in taste when compared with benzocaine.

How to cite this article

Kotian N, Mani G, Ramakrishnan M. Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Topical Anesthetic Agents in Controlling Pain during Intraoral Local Anesthetic Administration in Children: A Split-mouth Triple-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):180–182.