Articaine hydrochloride: a safe alternative to lignocaine?
A focused literature search to appraise the safety and suitability of articaine as a substitute for lignocaine was conducted. An evidence-based approach to the current available literature suggests that articaine is an effective and well-tolerated anaesthetic for dental use. However, practitioners should be aware of a possible, as yet unproven, link between 4% concentrations of local anaesthetic solution and nerve damage.


CONCLUSIONS
The purpose of this paper is to share the findings of our focused literature review with general dental practitioners and outline the available evidence on the safety and use of articaine as a substitute for lignocaine.
Royal Navy, RNAS Culdrose, Helston, Cornwall.
John Paul
JP
Wells
Heather
H
Beckett
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002355:Carticaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012449:Safety
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine; D002355:Carticaine