Journal of periodontology
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Journal of periodontology · Apr 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialClinical evaluation and comparison of 2 topical anesthetics for pain caused by needle sticks and scaling and root planing.
Pain generated by needle sticks (Ns) for the delivery of local anesthetic and/or scaling and root planing (SRP) instrumentation is commonly addressed by the use of topical anesthetics, such as a benzocaine-gel preparation (BGP). Pain suppression following such use has been highly variable. Development of medicine-containing patches and adhesives for intraoral use have led to a new approach for topical anesthesia in the form of a transoral lidocaine delivery system (LDS). The purpose of this double-blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of the LDS and also to compare LDS with BGP for pain suppression to Ns and SRP. ⋯ LDS is more effective than BGP for topical pain suppression to Ns and SRP in both arches.