New method for comparing the activity of local anesthetics used in dentistry

A method using conscious rats was designed to determine, measure, and compare the local anesthetic property of agents used in dentistry. The technique involves a local anesthetic blockade of the mental and incisive nerves at the mental foramen and electrical stimulation proximal to the anesthetized region. This pharmacodynamic method is simple to perform and appropriate for the assessment of local anesthetics as used in clinical dentistry.