Anesthetic efficacy of Oraqix(R) versus Hurricaine(R) and placebo for pain control during non-surgical periodontal treatment

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of Oraqix(R) during scaling and root planing (SRP) in comparison with 20% benzocaine and placebo. Study DESIGN: 15 patients requiring 4 sessions of SRP were enrolled. For each patient, Oraqix(R), Hurricaine(R), vaseline or no anesthetic product were randomly assigned each to a quadrant. Treatment pain was evaluated on a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and on a Verbal Rating Scale (VRS). The amount of product administered, the need to re-anesthetise, patient and operator satisfaction and the onset of side-effects were also recorded. RESULTS: Oraqix(R) was significantly better than nothing, with a reduction of VAS score to 13.3 units, but without significant differences with Vaseline or Hurricaine(R). Oraqix(R) was better in VRS reduction than not using any anesthetic (p = 0.001) or using vaseline (p = 0.024), but similar to Hurricaine(R) (p = 0.232). CONCLUSIONS: Oraqix(R) effectively controls pain in SRP procedures, with few side-effects and a good acceptance on the part of patients and clinicians