Use of articaine local anesthesia in children under 4 years of age--a retrospective report.

Abstract

A retrospective survey reports the use of articaine hydrochloride as an anesthetic in children under 4 years of age. Data was collected by a record audit in two pediatric dentistry offices. Articaine anesthetic was administered to 211 patients, 29 having additional administrations of the agent. In some instances, the dosages exceeded the recommended concentrations for older children. No adverse systemic adverse reactions were noted on the charts or known to the clinicians. The present report provides initial evidence for the use of articaine in children under 4 years of age.