Topical anesthetics act on the peripheral nerves and reduce the sensation of pain at the site of application. In dentistry, they are used to control local pain caused by needling, placement of orthodontic bands, the vomiting reflex, oral mucositis, and rubber-dam clamp placement.
Topical anesthetics are useful aids during dental treatment, as they reduce dental phobia, especially in children, by mitigating discomfort and pain.
Although conduction anesthesia and infiltration anesthesia produce a deep anesthesia, the use of needles may arouse fear and pain in patients. On the other hand, although the intensity of the anesthesia is weaker, topical anesthetics have minimal side effects with easy administration and cause less pain than needle injections.
Dental practitioners are in constant search of improved methods of pain control in dentistry:
-As many as 19.5% of school-age children are afraid of the dentist1
-Children whose parents have moderate to high dental fear are twice as likely to be afraid of the dentist than children whose guardians have low or no dental fear2
-71% of dentists surveyed would consider using a different delivery system of topical anesthetic if it were available2
-As many as 77% of practitioners were willing to try a different product if proven effective2
-One study found that most participants were willing to pay to have a non-injectable alternative available for themselves or for others. Concern about dental pain and anxiety about needles were the main factors that determined preference and the amount they were willing to pay.2
Topical anesthetics are available in gel, liquid, ointment, patch and pressurized spray forms. The most common topical anesthetics used in dentistry are those containing benzocaine or lidocaine.
Benzocaine (ethyl aminobenzoate) is an ester local anesthetic. It is available in up to 20% concentrations.
Lidocaine is available as a solution or ointment up to 5% concentration and as a spray up to 10% concentration.3
References
1. https://www.offthecusp.com/are-you-gellin-patterson-topical-anesthetic-gel/
2. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3089&context=etd
3. https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/professional-education/ce-courses/ce325/topical-anesthet
To find out more about what topical anesthetics are on the market, visit our Topical Agents page.