To compare the effect of ice and the lignocaine gel in reducing pain of needle prick before palatal nerve block

Aim The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ice and the lignocaine gel in reducing pain of needle prick before palatal nerve block using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and sound, eye and motor (SEM) scale. Material and Methodology In this split‐mouth design study, a total of 200 patients undergoing maxillary molar extraction were selected and were randomly divided into two equal groups having 200 sites in each group. The operative sites were divided into two groups, namely, Group A in which Lignocaine gel was applied and Group B in which ice was applied. Results Among the participant, 138 were men and 62 were women whose age ranged from 18 to 60 years. Statistical analysis of pain on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) showed that the mean of NRS score for the group A and group B as 0.2 ± 0.41 and 0.05 ± 0.226 (mean ± SD), respectively, which was statistically insignificant (P >0.05). Mean of sound in SEM scale for the group A and group B as 1.4 ± 0.4894 and 1.05 ± 0.2236 (mean ± SD), respectively, which was statistically insignificant (P >0.05). Statistical evaluation showed that mean of eye in SEM scale for the group A and group B was 1.05 ± 0.2236 and 1.15 ± 0.3663 (mean ± SD), respectively, which was also statistically insignificant (P >0.05). Mean of motor scale for the group A and group B was 1.05 ± 0.2236 and 1.15 ± 0.3663 (mean ± SD), respectively, which was statistically insignificant (P >0.05). Conclusion Ice has shown equal efficacy in reducing pain of needle prick compared to lignocaine gel. Thus, ice can be proved to be a cost‐effective alternative.