Topical Anesthetic - Local Anesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry - Dentalcare (2024)

FAQs

Why are topical anesthetics used in dentistry who can apply topical in a dental office? ›

Topical anesthetics are used by dentists and dental hygienists for a variety of common dental procedures. They can significantly reduce patient anxiety, discomfort, and pain and can even sometimes be used instead of injected anesthetics.

Patient age should not be a contraindication for local analgesic use, even for mandibular blocks in children, where some clinicians advocate the 'Rule of Ten' should be considered: the primary tooth to be anaesthetised is allocated a number according to position in the arch (central incisor = 1, second molar = 5); this ...

The most common topical anesthetics used in dentistry are those containing benzocaine or lidocaine. Benzocaine (ethyl aminobenzoate) is an ester local anesthetic.

Topical anesthetics work by blocking signals in nerve endings in your skin or mucosa. This temporarily blocks sensations — like pain, touch and itchiness — in a limited area. Topical anesthetics are superficial, which means they only provide numbness for the upper layers of your skin and mucosa.

Topical anesthetics act on the peripheral nerves and reduce the sensation of pain at the site of application. In dentistry, they are used to control local pain caused by needling, placement of orthodontic bands, the vomiting reflex, oral mucositis, and rubber-dam clamp placement.

Abstract. Topical anesthetics are widely applied in order to relieve the discomfort and anxiety caused by needle insertion and other painful superficial interventions at the oral cavity.

A helpful mnemonic to remember the timing of primary eruption is the 7+4 rule. At 7 months of age, children should have their first teeth; at 11 months (4 months later), they should have 4 teeth.

The apparent contact dimension (ACD), a determinant of dental esthetics, has been purported to exhibit an esthetic relationship termed the "50:40:30" rule, implying that in an esthetic smile, the ACD between the central incisors, central and lateral incisors, and lateral incisor and canine would be 50, 40, and 30% of ...

The more conservative Rule of 25, which states that no more than 1 cartridge of local anes- thetic should be given for each 25 lb of patient body weight, will impart an added safety layer in children ≤8 years of age.

What is the most powerful topical anesthetic? ›

Tetracaine is one of the most potent anesthetics of the ester-type anesthetic group, which is widely used in ophthalmology as a topical anesthetic agent.

Some people can be allergic to the ingredients, which may cause itching, swelling or bruising where the cream or spray has been applied. Some change in skin colour may occur, but this is normal. Local anaesthetics should not be used on the following areas: Wounds, broken skin and eczema.

Topical anesthetics are effective to a depth of 2-3mm and are effective in reducing the discomfort of the initial penetration of the needle into the mucosa.

Adverse effects

Burning or stinging at the administration site. Systemic toxicity-due to excess dosage, repeated use, particularly in patients on risk like infants or children or elderly, or patients with liver disease etc.

However, dental hygienists can help their patients conquer their fears with the use of topical anesthetics as adjuncts in their armamentarium to reduce discomfort and pain during dental hygiene procedures.

Administration of topical anesthetics to control pain associated with procedures, such as laceration repair, may avoid the need for infiltrative local anesthesia injections and associated pain from these injections.

Topical anesthetic agents have long been used in dentistry to reduce the pain that occurs during infiltration injections [8]. The topical anesthetic agents routinely used worldwide are 5% lidocaine and a mixture of 2.5% lidocaine/2.5% prilocaine [9,10].

Not for dental use or where entry into major blood vessels may occur. Not meant for use on intact skin - consider EMLA^® or Numit^®. Do not apply to mucous membranes, prevent the child from rubbing the area as they may transfer to these areas.