---
title: "What Is Articaine? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Articaine is a local anesthetic that dentists inject to numb teeth and gums before treatment."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/articaine
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Sedation and Anesthesia

# Articaine

Articaine is a local anesthetic that dentists inject to numb teeth and gums before treatment. It is often paired with epinephrine, a drug that narrows blood vessels.

Articaine is one of several local anesthetics used in dentistry. A [vasoconstrictor such as epinephrine](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/epinephrine-in-dental-anesthetic) is often added to the solution. Researchers have studied articaine with epinephrine at different strengths, mostly for the [nerve block](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/nerve-block) used on lower back teeth.

Like other local anesthetics, it works by blocking the nerves that sense pain in a small area of the mouth. That area feels [numb](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/numbing-dental-numbness) for a time after the injection. How long it lasts depends on the product, the dose, and the person.

Your dentist chooses the anesthetic based on the treatment and your health history. Tell your dentist about any allergies or medicines before treatment. Ask questions if you are unsure what you are receiving.

## Related terms

-   [Epinephrine in dental anesthetic](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/epinephrine-in-dental-anesthetic)
-   [Nerve block](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/nerve-block)
-   [Numbing (dental numbness)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/numbing-dental-numbness)
-   [Local anesthetic](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/local-anesthetic)

## Sources

1.  [NIH PMC: Articaine (4%) with epinephrine (1:100000 or 1:200000) for inferior alveolar nerve block](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5564155/)
2.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Anesthesia and Sedation](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/anesthesia-and-sedation)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)