Ropivacaine for dental anesthesia: a dose-finding study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal concentration and volumes of ropivacaine for dental anesthesia as regards onset and duration of action.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Thirty healthy individuals with a mean age of 32 years participated in the study on a voluntary basis. All subjects received a ropivacaine injection in 1 of 3 randomized concentrations (2.0, 5.0, or 7.5 mg/mL) for infiltration anesthesia and mandibular nerve block in a double-blind manner. The onset time and duration of anesthesia were assessed by electric pulp test, pinprick test of the gingiva, and presence of feeling of numbness of the lip.

RESULTS:

Regardless of dose, only 5 patients received pulpal anesthesia after infiltration, but all 3 concentrations anesthetized the gingiva and upper lip. The onset of pulpal anesthesia occurred less than 5 minutes after injection and lasted for 4 to 58 minutes. Pinprick anesthesia lasted for 8 to 48 minutes, and numbness of the upper lip lasted 1 to 4 hours. The effectiveness of the mandibular nerve block with regard to pulpal anesthesia was dose dependent. Only ropivacaine at 7.5 mg/mL produced sufficient anesthesia. The onset of pulpal anesthesia occurred less than 10 minutes after injection and lasted for 2 to 6 hours. Pinprick anesthesia lasted for 3 to 6 hours and numbness of the lower lip lasted for 5 to 9 hours.

CONCLUSION:

This study shows that ropivacaine could be useful as a local anesthetic for mandibular nerve block in dentistry and that the very long duration of both pulpal and soft tissue anesthesia may be favorable in reducing postoperative pain.

• Authors: Malin Ernberg, Sigvard Kopp
• Journal: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (J Oral Maxillofac Surg) Vol. 60 Issue 9 Pg. 1004-10; discussion 1010-11 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0278-2391 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12215984 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Chemical References

• Amides
• Anesthetics, Local
• Ropivacaine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Amides (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Anesthesia Recovery Period
• Anesthesia, Dental (methods)
• Anesthesia, Local (methods)
• Anesthetics, Local (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Dental Pulp Test
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Hypesthesia (chemically induced)
• Male
• Mandibular Nerve
• Nerve Block (methods)
• Ropivacaine