Other "Caines" Often Replace Novocaine In The Dentist's Office

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Have been examining a dentist and I told you need Novocain count is a good chance you're probably getting another type of "caine". In fact, patients are more likely to get any of several other anesthetics than the century-old standby Novocain, according to an article in the June issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN).

C&EN senior editor Elizabeth Wilson notes that Novocaine, or procaine, has become a catchall term for a variety of dental anesthetics widely used today. These substances include less-familiar names like benzocaine, lidocaine, articaine, and mepivacaine. Like Novocaine, all are non-addictive relatives of the original, naturally occurring local anesthetic cocaine, which is found in coca leaves.

None of the newer local anesthetics are perfect, leading dental researchers to seek better medications that are faster-acting, more effective, and safer.