Efficacy of eutectic topical anesthesia in stainless steel crown procedures for primary molars: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPrior literature highlights the importance of local anesthesia (LA) for stainless steel crown (SSC) preparation and placement. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of a eutectic mixture of local anesthesia (EMLA), a topical anesthesia, for this purpose remains unexplored.AimThe study evaluated the effectiveness of two EMLA application methods during SSC preparation and placement.DesignEighty‐four children between 4 and 8 years of age were randomly allocated to three intervention groups. Group A received EMLA applied supragingivally, Group B received a gingival retraction cord impregnated with EMLA (GRC_EMLA), and Group C (control) received LA. Pain was recorded using Wong–Baker Faces Pain Scale (WBFPS) and Children Hospital Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) at three time intervals.ResultsControl had highest mean pain scores at the first time interval in both maxillary and mandibular arches, followed by Group B and Group A, with statistically significant p‐values (p = .00, p < .05). After preparation and placement, all three groups had low mean pain scores, with no statistically significant differences. Group A had minimal pain scores at all three time intervals, although not statistically significant.ConclusionEMLA is a potent topical anesthetic and can be used as an alternative to LA for conventional SSC preparation and placement in primary molars.