Comparative efficacy of different anesthetic techniques on pain perception during nonsurgical periodontal treatment: A parallel, blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nonsurgical periodontal treatment improves clinical parameters; however, the procedure is often associated with patient discomfort. Pain control should be considered during periodontal instrumentation. This study evaluated pain perception during periodontal instrumentation using computerized anesthesia versus a noninvasive lidocaine/prilocaine gel. Materials and Methods: A parallel, blinded, randomized, clinical trial included 76 volunteers receiving either invasive anesthesia with a computerized device, or noninvasive anesthesia with lidocaine/prilocaine gel during nonsurgical periodontal instrumentation. Pain perception was assessed using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale and anxiety with the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. Anesthetic supplementation needs were recorded, and hemodynamic parameters were measured before and after anesthesia. Statistical analyses used the Results: Participants included 45 women and 31 men (mean age of 44.2 ± 12.9 years), with no significant differences in age or sex between groups. Pain intensity was similar between groups. Anxiety was similar among participants, most having low anxiety ( Conclusion: Both techniques provided similar pain control during periodontal instrumentation; however, the noninvasive gel required significantly more supplementary anesthesia in comparison with the computerized-controlled system. Pretreatment anxiety levels were low and comparable between groups.