A prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of bupivacaine and lidocaine for inferior alveolar nerve blocks

The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to compare the degree of pulpal anesthesia obtained with 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine in inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Using a crossover design, inferior alveolar nerve blocks were randomly administered, in a double-blind manner, using 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, at two separate appointments, to 39 subjects. A pulp tester was used to test for anesthesia until two consecutive readings of less than 80 were recorded on at least three of the five experimental teeth. Anesthesia was considered successful when two consecutive 80 readings were obtained within 15 min and the 80 reading was continuously sustained for 60 min. Anesthetic success was significantly improved for all teeth except the first molar with the lidocaine solution. Pulpal anesthesia averaged 4 hr for bupivacaine versus 2 hr and 24 min for lidocaine.