FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Anesthetics
What is the difference between articaine and lidocaine for dental anesthesia?
Articaine has higher lipid solubility and tissue diffusion than lidocaine, making it more effective for buccal infiltrations and mandibular anesthesia without a block. Both are amide anesthetics — the choice depends on case type, patient history, and clinician preference.
What does buffering do to a dental anesthetic?
Buffering raises the anesthetic's pH closer to physiologic levels, accelerating onset, reducing injection discomfort, and increasing the percentage of active uncharged molecules available to penetrate nerve membranes. Products like BufferPro add sodium bicarbonate to a standard cartridge in seconds.
How long does dental local anesthesia last?
Duration depends on the agent and vasoconstrictor concentration. Lidocaine 2% with 1:100,000 epinephrine typically provides 60–90 minutes of pulpal anesthesia; articaine lasts similarly. Without a vasoconstrictor, duration is significantly shorter and soft tissue anesthesia outlasts pulpal anesthesia in both cases.
What topical anesthetics are most effective before injection?
Benzocaine 20% is the most widely used topical agent for mucosal anesthesia before injection. Newer options including EMLA-style creams and products with longer contact time offer improved onset. Application time, placement accuracy, and drying the mucosa beforehand significantly impact effectiveness.
How do DPS clinician evaluators rate anesthetic products?
Independent panels of practicing dentists and hygienists use products in their own offices for approximately 4 weeks, rating on specific clinical criteria including onset speed, duration, patient comfort, and delivery system design. Products scoring 4.3 or above earn the DPS Best Product designation.