A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of herbal mucoadhesive patch with benzocaine mucoadhesive patch to relieve pain associated with placement of elastomeric separators.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of benzocaine and herbal mucoadhesive patch in reducing pain caused by elastomeric separators. Materials and methods: A sample size of 40 patients was selected for the study. Elastomeric separators were placed mesial and distal to the first maxillary molars in both quadrants, and the patches were placed on the buccal mucosa above the first maxillary molars. The medication patch and the placebo patch were randomly distributed among two groups of 20 patients each. Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) were provided to the patients for both of their first maxillary molars. The Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test analyses were performed after data collection. The patients recorded their readings every six hours, beginning 30 minutes after patch insertion. The mucoadhesive drug and placebo patches were replaced after 48 hours. Readings were recorded every six hours, and the final reading was taken at the 72nd hour, after which the mucoadhesive patch was replaced. Results: The results showed a statistically significant reduction in pain. when mucoadhesive drug patch was compared with the placebo patch. It was seen that benzocaine was most effective at 6th, 48th ,72nd hour, followed by quercetin patch which was effective at 6th, 48th ,72nd hour. When two drug patches were compared it was observed that benzocaine was significantly effective in relieving pain caused due to separators. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study that benzocaine and quercetin patches were effective in reducing pain caused by elastomeric separators compared to the placebo patch. When benzocaine patches were compared with the quercetin mucoadhesive patch, the benzocaine patch was more effective in reducing pain caused by the placement of elastomeric separators.