Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Topical Administration of Benzocaine and EMLA® on Oral Pain and Tactile Sensitivity.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of the topical administration of benzocaine and EMLA on oral pain and tactile sensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, split-mouth clinical trial was carried out with 20 volunteers. The sensorial and quantitative tests were applied before the contact with topical anesthetic and after the application. RESULTS: In the superficial tactile perception test, when we compared each group singly, there were statistically significant values in the decrease of superficial tactile perception when compared to the moment prior to the application of anesthetic agents. For the sensitivity to mechanical pain, no statistical significant difference was observed at evaluated times. In the needle penetration test, in an intergroup analysis, we found a decrease in the pain sensitivity to needle penetration at 5 min (p=0.053) and at 10 min (p=0.019) after the contact of the anesthetic drug with the oral mucosa. CONCLUSION: The application of topical anesthetic drugs reduces the discomfort associated with this procedure, mainly until the first 10 minutes. Only the needle penetration sensitivity test showed sufficient sensitivity to reveal a difference in the anesthetic effect between EMLA and benzocaine. This trial is registered with RBR-2N2GSW.

Evaluation of changes in nasal airway in patients having undergone surgically assisted maxillary expansion.

INTRODUCTION: Surgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME) is used to treat transverse maxillary discrepancies. The effect of this technique on the nasal airway has been the subject of a large number of studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to identify changes in the nasal airway in patients having undergone SAME. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out on a sample of 10 patients having undergone SAME who agreed to participate in all phases of the study. Data acquisition involved a questionnaire, Glatzel mirror, and computed tomography measurements in both the preoperative and postoperative periods. RESULTS: Nasal width increased in all patients following SAME (mean increase: 1.29 mm). The mean opening of the intermaxillary space was 5.30 mm. The postoperative nasal airway was larger in 8 patients (80%), with a mean increase of 0.30 cm(2) (18.52%). A significant overall increase (P < 0.05) in the nasal valve angle occurred in the postoperative period. The use of the Glatzel mirror revealed a smaller area of condensation in the postoperative period in only 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: The nasal airway underwent a positive change following surgically assisted maxillary expansion. Moreover, the nasal valve angle is suggested as a new parameter for the analysis of this improvement.

Evaluation of fixation techniques with titanium plates and Kirschner wires for zygoma fractures: preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of treatment using two reduction and fixation techniques for zygoma fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was carried out involving a sample of 10 patients with Knight and North type III, IV and V zygoma fractures divided into two groups. One group underwent the closed reduction technique and fixation with Kirschner wire and the other group underwent the open reduction technique and fixation with titanium plates. The groups were submitted to subjective evaluation based on the patient's perception of areas of deformity and paresthesia as well as the measurement of range of mouth opening and pain upon mouth opening in the preoperative (T0) and postoperative (T1) periods. The assessment of bone reduction quality was performed using quantifiable points (lateral wall of the orbit, anteroposterior projection of the zygoma and ocular globe projection), measured based on tomographic images. RESULTS: Seventy percent of the patients remained with paresthesia and 20% remained with the complaint of deformity at T1. Mouth opening range increased in both groups at T1. In the overall sample, mean total disjunction of the lateral wall of the orbit and the difference in the anteroposterior projection of the zygoma were reduced between T0 and T1 (4.36 mm to 1.25 mm and 6.94 mm to 2.86 mm, respectively). There was also a reduction in ocular globe projection in both groups between T0 and T1. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques achieved adequate reduction of zygoma fractures in the postoperative period.