A comparison of 2 topical anesthetics on the discomfort of intraligamentary injections - A double-blind, split-mouth volunteer clinical trial

Objective. The purpose of this volunteer clinical trial was to compare the effects of 5% lidocaine ointment and EMLA cream on the discomfort associate d with intraligamentary injections. Study design. A double-blind, split mouth study was conducted. Each of 10 h ealthy volunteers had 5% lidocaine and EMLA cream applied to the maxillary premolar buccal gingiva for 5 minutes before the administration of an intra ligamentary injection. Discomfort during the injection was assessed through use of a visual analog scale. Data were analyzed by means of Student paire d and unpaired t tests. Results. Injection discomfort on the side on which EMLA cream was applied w as significantly less than on the lidocaine side (t = 2.32, P < .05). Conclusions. EMLA cream reduced the discomfort associated with intraligamen tary injections.