[Efficiency of a 2% epinephrine-free Articain solution (Ultracain 2%) for dental local anesthesia]

In a prospective, randomized study it was researched whether epinephrine-free Articain 2%-solution is suitable for dental surgery. The estimated local anesthetic effect was subjective considering a dental operation an in comparison with the usual Articain 4% solution with an epinephrine addition of 1:200,000 (Ultracain D-S). The local anesthetic effect of the 2% solution was clearly lower than that of the 4% solution. However, in many cases even the lower doses of the 2% solution was sufficient for dental treatment including surgery. The higher efficiency of the 4% solution is more a result of a higher concentration than of anesthesia. In principle, the epinephrine-free 2% Articain solution is suitable for dental surgery, although, due to a shorter anesthetic duration and an unsure effect additional injections have to be given more often.