Role of Topical Anesthetics Versus Topical Steroids in The Management of Traumatic Ulcer: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Traumatic ulcers represent one of the most common types of ulcers occurring in the oral cavity. The etiology for the causation of the traumatic ulcers might be due to mechanical trauma-which is the commonest, thermal and electrical trauma. The ulcers due to trauma are well circumscribed, most often deep with sloping margins and an erythematous halo around the ulcers. The management of traumatic ulcers usually ranges from the prescription of topical anesthetics, steroids to nutritional supplements.The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of traumatic ulcers and to analyse the frequency of prescription of topical anesthetics and topical steroids in the management of traumatic ulcers.The study sample consisted of 94 patients with traumatic ulcer.The patients with traumatic ulcers included 56 males with a predominance of cases in the 3rd to 4th decade of life. The number of patients who were treated with topical anesthetics is 68 and topical corticosteroids are only 9. A combination of topical steroids and local anesthetics were used in 17 patients. The results reveal that the single most common drug used in the management of traumatic ulcer is the prescription of topical anesthetics. The second most common agent used is corticosteroids. On analysing the results based on the age group to the type of therapy, there was no significance (P>0.05). The use of topical anesthetics is the commonest in the management of oral traumatic ulcers.