Effectiveness of a novel topical anesthetic gel in patients undergoing non surgical periodontal therapy.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a topical anesthetic gel containing potassium nitrate, benzocaine and tetracaine in patients undergoing non surgical periodontal therapy. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, split mouth design trial carried out in 300 patients. Two quadrants in each patient were selected for non surgical periodontal therapy. The drug gel and placebo were liberally applied over the teeth and gingiva on the selected quadrants and the treatment was started after two minutes. Patients were asked to evaluate their pain experience at the end of treatment of their respective quadrants using verbal rating scale. Results: The mean pain score on using the drug gel was 0.433+0.737 as compared to the mean pain score of 2.35+0.761 on using the placebo gel, and the results were statistically significant. The drug gel out performed the placebo gel. None of the patients reported of any local or systemic side effects. Conclusions: The topical anesthetic gel provided excellent pain control for the patients undergoing non surgical periodontal therapy. It can also be considered as a good option during periodontal examination and maintenance visits to increase the patients comfort.

Keywords

• anesthetic gel
• potassium nitrate
• benzocaine
• tetracaine