Below is a list of the most common local anesthesia medications used in dentistry along with frequent indications and contraindications.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Indications: nerve blocks (e.g. inferior alveolar block). **Safest local anesthetic for pregnant patients!
Contraindications: maximum # of carpules in cardiac patient = 1 carpule of 1:50k epi; 2 carpules of 1:100k epi; 4 carpules of 1:200k epi.
Articaine (Septocaine)
Indications: buccal infiltration (penetrates bone the best), PDL injections.
Contraindications: do not use for nerve blocks or in patients with sulfa allergy.
Mepivacaine (Carbocaine)
Indications: use "plain" (without epi) to reduce duration of anesthesia and/or to reduce total epinephrine dose.
Bupivicaine (Marcaine)
Indications: longest lasting local anesthetic, but has longest time of onset.
Contraindications: do not use for pediatric patients.