Effect of Topical Application of Clove Gel Versus Benzocaine Gel on Pain Reduction During Application of Simple Dental Procedures in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that arises from actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. In pediatric dentistry, pain sensation is generated by stimuli like the touch of the needle at the time of local anesthetic administration and is not necessarily caused by tissue damage. Poor pain control, anxiety, and fear of the needle might interfere with the acceptance of local anesthesia and lead to inappropriate dental treatment management.

Fear and anxiety are the most common problems in pediatric dentistry. Needle phobias and fear of pain due to needle prick are very common in children, compromising their dental health. Therefore, various methods (pharmacological or non-pharmacological) have been developed to overcome this problem. Topical anesthetics are the gold standard method used to alleviate pain.

In pediatric dentistry, local anesthesia is the most common procedure that can trigger fear and anxiety in children, but it is an essential measure for pain control. Therefore, an alternative for injectable anesthesia is the use of topical anesthetics.

Rubber dam placement is one of the procedures used daily in dental practice. Unfortunately, anxiety is triggered when injectable anesthesia is applied to control the pain during rubber dam placement. Children perceive rubber dam clamp placement as a painful procedure.

Using an effective topical anesthetic can prevent pain, leading to establishing a trust-based and positive relationship between the pediatric dentist and the child, eliminating the child's fears and anxiety, and developing a positive attitude towards future dental treatments.