---
title: "What Is Epinephrine in dental anesthetic? Dental Glossary"
description: "Epinephrine is a drug added to many dental numbing solutions. It narrows blood vessels near the injection site, a step used together with the anesthetic."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/epinephrine-in-dental-anesthetic
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Sedation and Anesthesia

# Epinephrine in dental anesthetic

Epinephrine is a drug added to many dental numbing solutions. It narrows blood vessels near the injection site, a step used together with the anesthetic.

Many dental anesthetics contain a small amount of epinephrine, also called adrenaline. It is a vasoconstrictor, which means it narrows blood vessels. The most common forms are 1:50,000, 1:100,000, and 1:200,000.

Narrowed vessels carry less blood to the area. A vasoconstrictor is often used with a local anesthetic such as [articaine](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/articaine). It is part of how a [nerve block](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/nerve-block) is made to [numb the area](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/numbing-dental-numbness).

Tell your dentist about your health history and any medicines you take. Your dentist can then choose the right solution for you.

## Related terms

-   [Articaine](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/articaine)
-   [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.  [NIH PMC: Articaine (4%) with epinephrine (1:100000 or 1:200000) for inferior alveolar nerve block](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5564155/)

## Ready when you are

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