Evaluating the efficacy of 5% emla versus 20% benzocaine as topical anesthesic in implant surgery-a split mouth technique

In modern dentistry, control of pain becomes a constitutive part of any surgical procedure. One of the main problems in most dental procedures is the fear of pain during local anesthetic injections which has been revealed as the major cause of apprehension. Pragmatically, various methods have been advocated to provide a painless needle insertion to reduce the source of anxiety and assurance of patients. Desensitization of the area using a topical anesthesia is among one of those methods. Aim: The main aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of two locally available topical anesthetics in reducing the needle insertion pain during an implant placement surgery. Material and Methodology: A split mouth technique was conducted on 20 subjects who visited the Department of Period ontology and Implantology for implant placement. Patients with bilateral edentulous either maxillary or mandibular areas were selected for the study. 5% EMLA cream and 20% Bezocaine gel were applied before the administration of local anesthesia and assessment of pain was done during needle insertion by facial expressions of the patients. Results: The data was collected and undergone statistical analysis using mean, frequency, percentage, and standard deviation, while continuous variable were correlated using chi square and student t test. On evaluation, a statistically significant result was obtained in patients when a topical application of 5% EMLA was done before the insertion of needle when compared to 20% benzocaine. Conclusion: Within the limitations it was concluded that though benzocaine has the rapid onset of action when compared, EMLA has a superior action in pain reduction.