Abstract
BACKGROUND: Present study has compared local anaesthetic efficacy of two agents, 5% tramadol with adrenaline 1:80,000 and 2% lignocaine with adrenaline 1:80,000 for bilateral maxillary premolar extraction under supra-periosteal injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, split-mouth, double-blinded, randomised, clinical study was conducted on 69 patients requiring extraction of maxillary premolars bilaterally for orthodontic reasons. The study group received 5% tramadol hydrochloride, and the control group received 2% lignocaine hydrochloride. Parameters evaluated were pain on injection, onset and duration of anaesthesia, and post-extraction analgesia. RESULTS: Current study observed longer duration of anaesthesia for lignocaine than that of tramadol, p < 0.001. Lesser perception of post-extraction pain and longer duration of analgesia was observed on tramadol side compared to lignocaine, p = 0.001. Consumption of analgesic tablets was more in lignocaine group, p = 0.022. CONCLUSION: Tramadol can be safely employed as an alternative to conventional local anaesthetic agents through supra-periosteal injection due to its dual local anaesthetic and analgesic action.