{"title":"Topical anesthetics methods used to reduce needle pain/discomfort prior to local anesthesia in children and adolescents: a scoping review.","authors":"Luciana Faria Sanglard, Luana da Silva Paiva, Isabel Cristina Quaresma Rego, Amanda Vieira Barollo, Mariana Pires Feletti, Daniela Nascimento Silva, Juliana Cama Ramacciato, Luciana Butini Oliveira","doi":"10.1038/s41432-025-01106-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to review the most effective topical anesthetic methods for reducing pain/discomfort prior to dental local anesthetic needle puncture for dental procedures in children and adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A scoping review was conducted. Individual search strategies were developed for each of the bibliographic databases (Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, Pubmed, Scopus, PsyINFO, Web of Science), and in the gray literature (Google Scholar, Open Gray), comprehensively, without restrictions on language, publication data, or level of socioeconomic development of the country in which the study was conducted. The search was conducted on April 21, 2021 and the updates on May 24, 2024. Randomized controlled studies conducted in patients up to 18 years of age were included. Variables collected: characteristics of the included studies, topical anesthetics evaluated, time and the mode of application.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Initially, 8579 studies were retrieved. Then 3127 were identified as eligible, of which (n = 3127), 52 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. The most commonly observed anesthetic methods with the most favorable outcomes were lidocaine, benzocaine, ice cooling, and EMLA. Spray, gel or patch were used, with application times ranging from 1 to 10 min. Mucosal cooling an ice stick was analyzed by eight studies. Only one showed a smaller reduction in pain perception scores than others.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cooling is a technique with numerous clinical advantages from the clinical point of view, for reduction of pain/discomfort prior to needle puncture of dental local anesthesia in children and adolescents. It is an accessible, inexpensive and pleasant method that does not resemble needles or unpleasant tastes, nor involves systemic toxicity and complications that may be associated with others anesthetics agents. Future randomized controlled studies in accordance with the Consort Statement are needed to further investigate the topic.</p>","PeriodicalId":12234,"journal":{"name":"Evidence-based dentistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Evidence-based dentistry","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-025-01106-x","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Dentistry","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the most effective topical anesthetic methods for reducing pain/discomfort prior to dental local anesthetic needle puncture for dental procedures in children and adolescents.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted. Individual search strategies were developed for each of the bibliographic databases (Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, Pubmed, Scopus, PsyINFO, Web of Science), and in the gray literature (Google Scholar, Open Gray), comprehensively, without restrictions on language, publication data, or level of socioeconomic development of the country in which the study was conducted. The search was conducted on April 21, 2021 and the updates on May 24, 2024. Randomized controlled studies conducted in patients up to 18 years of age were included. Variables collected: characteristics of the included studies, topical anesthetics evaluated, time and the mode of application.
Results: Initially, 8579 studies were retrieved. Then 3127 were identified as eligible, of which (n = 3127), 52 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. The most commonly observed anesthetic methods with the most favorable outcomes were lidocaine, benzocaine, ice cooling, and EMLA. Spray, gel or patch were used, with application times ranging from 1 to 10 min. Mucosal cooling an ice stick was analyzed by eight studies. Only one showed a smaller reduction in pain perception scores than others.
Conclusions: Cooling is a technique with numerous clinical advantages from the clinical point of view, for reduction of pain/discomfort prior to needle puncture of dental local anesthesia in children and adolescents. It is an accessible, inexpensive and pleasant method that does not resemble needles or unpleasant tastes, nor involves systemic toxicity and complications that may be associated with others anesthetics agents. Future randomized controlled studies in accordance with the Consort Statement are needed to further investigate the topic.
期刊介绍：
Evidence-Based Dentistry delivers the best available evidence on the latest developments in oral health. We evaluate the evidence and provide guidance concerning the value of the author''s conclusions. We keep dentistry up to date with new approaches, exploring a wide range of the latest developments through an accessible expert commentary. Original papers and relevant publications are condensed into digestible summaries, drawing attention to the current methods and findings. We are a central resource for the most cutting edge and relevant issues concerning the evidence-based approach in dentistry today. Evidence-Based Dentistry is published by Springer Nature on behalf of the British Dental Association.
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