Background: Several studies have suggested that the likelihood of paraesthesia may depend on the local anaesthetic (LA) used. The purpose of this study was to analyze reports of paraesthesia among dental LAs used in the U.S. Methods: Reports of paraesthesia involving LAs between November 1997 through August 2008 were obtained from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System. Chi-Square analysis compared expected frequencies, based on U.S. LA sales data, to observed reports of oral paraesthesia. Results: During the study period 248 cases of paraesthesia following dental procedures were reported. Most (94.5%) cases involved mandibular nerve block. The lingual nerve was affected in 89.0% of cases. Reports involving 4%-prilocaine and 4%-articaine were 7.3-times and 3.6-times, respectively, greater than expected (χ2, p<0.0001) based on LA usage by U.S. dentists. Conclusions: Consistent with previous reports, these data suggest that paraesthesia is more common following use of 4% LA formulations.

Background: Several studies have suggested that the likelihood of paraesthesia may depend on the local anaesthetic (LA) used. The purpose of this study was to analyze reports of paraesthesia among dental LAs used in the U.S. Methods: Reports of paraesthesia involving LAs between November 1997 through August 2008 were obtained from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System. Chi-Square analysis compared expected frequencies, based on U.S. LA sales data, to observed reports of oral paraesthesia. Results: During the study period 248 cases of paraesthesia following dental procedures were reported. Most (94.5%) cases involved mandibular nerve block. The lingual nerve was affected in 89.0% of cases. Reports involving 4%-prilocaine and 4%-articaine were 7.3-times and 3.6-times, respectively, greater than expected (χ2, p<0.0001) based on LA usage by U.S. dentists. Conclusions: Consistent with previous reports, these data suggest that paraesthesia is more common following use of 4% LA formulations.