Effects of Benzocaine 20% Topical Anesthetic and no Topical Agent on Pain Perception During Intra-oral Injections

Efficacy of Topical Benzocaine in Anterior Maxilla: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The aim of this randomized controlled trial. is to test the efficacy of topical anesthesia against the use of no topical agent during buccal infiltration in maxillary anterior teeth. The rationale behind this comparison is to evaluate the practical, clinical outcome of not using any topical agent if in fact topical anesthesia does not reduce pain as reported by various studies and if consequently its usage was to be discontinued.

The clinical implication of topical anesthesia and placebo being the same is to not use either of them prior to LA administration in dentistry. This clinical approach has rarely been studied and this study aims to compare the effects of the use of topical anesthesia against the use of no topical agent prior to buccal infiltration in maxillary anterior teeth.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Above the age of 18
• Males and females both
• Participants requiring extraction of maxillary anterior teeth
• Intact or minimally restored anterior teeth
• Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of 1 or 2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with physical American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of 3 or 4
• Showing signs of inflammation in the area to be injected
• Having known allergy to any of the agents used in the study
• Used anti- anxiety drugs or sedatives in the past two weeks
• Have taken analgesics on the day of data collection