The Journal of the American Dental Association
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Pain on injection of prilocaine plain vs. lidocaine with epinephrine. A prospective double-blind study.
Prilocaine has been described as causing less pain on injection than lidocaine with epinephrine, possibly because of the higher pH of the prilocaine anesthetic solution. ⋯ Since there is no significant difference in associated pain on injection between prilocaine plain and lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, dentists may prefer lidocaine with epinephrine. Since there is less anesthetic in each cartridge of lidocaine, it may require the use of less anesthetic per patient, and the vasoconstrictor can prolong its duration.
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The use of gloves in all types of dentistry has been a major benefit to both patients and dentists. However, operating gloves are not without challenges. Tight ambidextrous gloves can produce significant and debilitating hand pain; latex allergies are a problem for many dental personnel and patients; and the disagreeable taste; odor and powder of some brands of gloves has frustrated both professionals and patients. In spite of the challenges that glove use poses, it offers many advantages--foremost among them the protection of patient and dentist alike from infection.