Topical Anesthetics Effectiveness in Management of Orthodontic Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Qasim Khalid, Abbas Naseem, Waqas Naseem et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of topical anesthetics in managing orthodontic pain, analyzing nine randomized controlled trials involving 456 participants aged 14-35. The review found that topical anesthetics significantly reduced pain intensity, particularly benzocaine, which showed superior outcomes compared to placebo. Most pain reductions occurred within the first 24 to 72 hours post-application.
Key findings
- Eight of nine trials reported significant reductions in pain intensity with topical anesthetics.
- Benzocaine consistently showed superior outcomes compared to placebo.
- Lidocaine and prilocaine/lidocaine provided rapid analgesia, especially in anxious patients.
- Menthol patches demonstrated significant short-term pain reduction in two studies.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of topical anesthetics can help clinicians manage orthodontic pain more effectively, potentially reducing the need for systemic analgesics and enhancing patient comfort during treatment.
What to keep in mind
The review noted a moderate risk of bias in most trials and emphasized the need for higher quality studies.