Special Needs Dentistry: Can You Be Allergic to Novocaine?

You may not be able to use Novocaine, or you may need an adjustment in dosage or monitoring during your dental treatment.

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When it comes to sedation dentistry, the most common form that all dentists use is local anesthesia. Novocaine has been in use for a number of decades and, most of the time, doesn’t cause any problems. However, as with any type of medication, there is always the potential for side effects.

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Wendy S.

We have a special needs child that gets wonderful care by Dr Hoffmann and his staff. They do remarkable dentistry for those that require extra time and care. We are grateful to have this type of dentistry in our state and available for our daughter's needs.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and kind words. We’re grateful for the trust families place in our team and are honored to provide compassionate, individualized care. Your support means so much to us.

Cindy P.

The staff were very kind to my daughter and immediately put her at ease.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad our team could help create a welcoming and comforting experience. We truly appreciate your feedback!

Theresa J.

I just needed to ask Dr Hoffmann what he does with Ryan under anesthesia because our last experience at Barnes West was not really good. They graciously received me answered my questions and didn’t even charge me for the visit. We’ve been patient there for almost 20 years. I am so grateful for this wonderful man in his team.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for trusting our team over the years. We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide support and answer questions, and we truly appreciate your continued confidence in our care.

Sue M.

Dr Thoms & staff were very caring & so good with my special needs sister. I can't say enough good things about The Dental Anesthesia Center. Thank you for your compassion you show your patients.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate your feedback and are grateful for the opportunity to provide compassionate care to all who visit our office.

Lynn M.

My tooth feels better.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team.

People who are sensitive to Novocaine may experience an allergic reaction. If you’ve used it before and it hasn’t caused any issues, then you will likely not suffer an allergic reaction. However, if it is your first time, let your dentist know so that he or she can monitor you for any symptoms.

A Decrease in Novocaine Use

Anesthesia was first used in the 1800s, and the practice has continued to progress substantially over the past two hundred years. When Novocaine was first introduced, dentists used it to inject into the sensitive parts of the mouth so that patients wouldn’t feel any pain. Over time, the number of people having an adverse reaction began to grow, which has led many in the dentistry field to try to find an alternative.

Articaine

Although not used frequently, studies show that Articaine is not only a viable solution for those with Novocaine sensitivity or allergies, but it might be a better product overall. Articaine is a medicine that can be an excellent alternative to injectable Novocaine. It is the most widely used local anesthetic in many European countries.

Lidocaine

Lidocaine is a medication that has been used in both the medical and dental industries for a long time. Like Novocaine, it is an injectable substance that is meant to numb the nerves and gum tissue in the mouth to make dental procedures far less painful.

Lidocaine remains the standard of care when dentists are looking for local anesthesia options. The advantages of using Lidocaine versus Novocaine are that there are fewer side effects and that Lidocaine has had a proven track record for the last 50 years.

Allergic Reactions to Novocaine

Allergic reactions to Novocaine can range in severity. The signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are typically limited to the area of the mouth where it is applied and may consist of swelling. In rare but severe cases, a person may experience a drop in blood pressure or difficulty breathing.