Ice vs Benzocaine 20% gel as a Topical Anesthesia for the Oral Mucosa: A Randomized Clinical Study

Topical anesthesia is used to minimize the pain produced by the needle. Therefore, it is essential to use topical anesthesia during dental treatments to provide the best pain control. Ice was introduced as a safe method of local anesthesia. This study aimed to assess the patient's perception of pain and the efficacy of Benzocaine 20% gel and ice as a topical anesthetic agent applied to the oral mucosa before injecting local anesthesia. Healthy patients without any expression of dental fear were invited to participate in this study. Randomization was applied by using sealed envelopes according to inclusion criteria. Before the process begins, an envelope was opened to reveal which side and type of topical application (lignocaine or ice) were used at the first and second appointments. A (VAS) of 100 mm was used for patients to rate their intensity of pain to needle prick with the application of topical lignocaine or ice. Following the application of ice and Benzocaine 20% gel, the VAS ratings among 30 subjects. VAS pain ratings were higher for topical gel (1 min Ice10.0 ± 11.5 gel 20.1 ± 16.7) and (2.5 min: ice 6.0 ± 7.5 gel 12.1 ± 16.3) there were significant differences between ratings at 1 min (p=0.003) and 2.5 min (p = 0.032). There were no correlations between age and VAS pain. The suggested approach of employing ice on the oral mucosa before the dental injection is a cost-effective alternative to Benzocaine 20% oral gel.