Evaluating the efficacy of EMLA topical anesthetic in sealant placement with rubber dam.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics, 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine) cream in reducing discomfort from pressure applied by rubber dam clamp.

METHODS: A consecutive sample of 31 patients, ages 6 to 12 years who presented for sealants from September 2002 through March 2003, participated in this within-subjects controlled clinical study. The facial pain scale (FPS) measured discomfort of dental dam placement on first permanent molars on opposite sides of the mouth after EMLA and placebo application for 5 minutes on the gingiva surrounding each tooth.

RESULTS: 18 subjects (58%) were female, and 13 (42%) were male. Twenty (65%) of the teeth studied were permanent maxillary first molars, and 11 (35%) were permanent mandibular first molars. Fourteen (44%) patients were 9 years old or younger, and 17 (56%) patients were over 9 years old. The mean FPS score for EMLA teeth of 0.47+/-0.27 was significantly lower than that for non-EMLA teeth of 0.64+/-0.24 (P<.001). EMLA vs non-EMLA FPS scores by age, gender, and arch were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS: The EMLA cream was effective in reducing discomfort caused by the dental dam clamp.