Study Objective: To compare the topical and the pulpal anesthesia efficacy of liposomal and plain benzocaine formulationsDesign: Double-blinded, randomized crossover study.Setting: University ambulatory dental centerPatients: 30 ASA physical status 1 volunteersInterventions: Volunteers received, in three different sessions, topical application of liposome-encapsulated 10% benzocaine (LB10), 10% benzocaine gel (B10), and 20% benzocaine gel (B20) in the right maxillary canine mucobuccal foldMeasurements: Pain associated with the needle insertion was rated by visual analog scale (VAS) and the duration of topical anesthesia was recorded Pulpal anesthesia was evaluated using an electric pulp testerMain Results: VAS values (median. 1st - 3rd quartiles) were 17 cm (11 - 25), 14 cm (3 - 22), and 21 cm (9 21) for B10, LB10, and 1320, respectively No differences were noted among the groups (Friedman test, P = 0 58) Soft tissue anesthesia was also not different The LB10 [10 (8 - 12) min] showed longer soft tissue anesthesia (Friedman test, P < 0 01) than the other agents [1310 = 8 (5 - 10) min, and B20 = 7 (6 - 9) min] None of the topical benzocaine formulations tested induced pulpal anesthesiaConclusions: The encapsulation of benzocaine into liposome increased the duration of soft tissue anesthesia However, it did not induce pulpal anesthesia (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reservedConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)