Anesthetic efficacy of ropivacaine with epinephrine in maxillary infiltration

Objectives: To evaluate the anesthetic efficacy of ropivacaine with epinephrine and the effects on the cardiovascular system after maxillary infiltration. Methods: In this blinded crossover study, forty healthy volunteers received, in different sessions, 1.8mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (Lido100) and 0.5% ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine (Ropi200) in the buccal fold of the maxillary right canine region. Anesthesia success, onset and duration of pulpal anesthesia were evaluated in the lateral incisor, canine, 1^st and 2^nd premolar with electric stimulation. Gingival and lip anesthesia was evaluated by pinprick test. Pain during anesthetic injection was recorded on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Arterial pressure and heart rate changes were monitored: before (1), during (2) right after (3) and 5-min after (4) local anesthesia. Results: The results (mean±SD) are shown in the table. No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between Lido100 and Ropi200, except for duration of gingival and lip anesthesia which were longer with the use of Ropi200. The cardiovascular parameters remained stable (p<0.05) and within the normal range.