The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics

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The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics
Journal of Dentistry
Volume 34, Issue 10, November 2006, Pages 747-750

Athbi Alqareer, a, Asma Alyahya, a, and Lars Andersson, b
a Resident Dentist, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait
b Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Received 19 November 2005; revised 21 January 2006; accepted 24 January 2006. Available online 13 March 2006.

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to examine whether the natural herb clove can replace benzocaine as a topical anesthetic.
Methods

Topical agents were applied to the maxillary canine buccal mucosa of 73 adult volunteers. Four substances were tested in the study: (1) homemade clove gel, (2) benzocaine 20% gel, (3) placebo that resembles clove and (4) a placebo that resembled benzocaine. After 5 min of material application in a randomized, subject-blinded manner, each participant received two needle sticks. Pain response was registered using a 100 mm visual analogue pain scale.

Results
Both clove and benzocaine gels had significantly lower mean pain scores than placebos (p = 0.005). No significant difference was observed between clove and benzocaine regarding pain scores.
Conclusion

Clove gel might posses a potential to replace benzocaine as a topical agent before needle insertion.

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