Dental Anesthetics

Dental Anesthetics

There is growing concern over the safety of dental anesthetics, specifically, the inclusion of particular unlabeled ingredients such as graphene.  We were first made aware of this potential problem several years ago when there was not much information available.  At the time, the only science we could find on the topic were studies being conducted on the theoretical benefit of adding graphene to dental anesthetics.  You can read one of these articles here: 

Understanding interactions between graphene and local anesthetic molecules applied in dentistry – Towards the prolonged effects of local anesthesia - ScienceDirect

The article concluded that graphene can be used in dental anesthetics to prolong the numbing effect, but at the time of the study, November 2022, the concept was purely hypothetical.  Since then, more research has been done, and we want to communicate our opinion on the topic.

The most commonly used local anesthetics to prevent pain during dental procedures include Lidocaine, Articaine, Bupivacaine, Prilocaine, and Mepivacaine.  Each has their own unique properties and specific uses.  

The two typical anesthetics found in general dental offices are Lidocaine and Articaine. 

Keep in mind that each one of these dental anesthetics can go by their brand name as well depending on the company manufacturing them.  For example:

Lidocaine can also be called Xylocaine, Lignocaine, etc.

Articaine can also be called Septocaine, Orabloc, Zorcaine, Articadent, etc.

Mepivacaine can also be called Carbocaine, Prolocaine, etc.

Prilocaine can also be called Citanest, etc.

Meetinghouse Dental uses a combination of Articaine with epi and Mepivacaine for patients who are sensitive to epinephrine.  For a long time, the brand of Articaine used was Septocaine (made by Septodont).  When we first heard about the potential issues with Septocaine, we switched brands to use OraBloc (which is still the identical Articaine product, just a different brand).  Now, OraBloc is also being tested for the potential inclusion of graphene.

If any of these articles, posts, and "research", clearly offered a clean alternative, we would gladly switch. Everything we have read on the issues of anesthetics and graphene harp on the potential presence of graphene, but none of them seem to offer solutions. 

I have personally called the manufacturers of the anesthetics we use to try and get answers, but they did not offer much to me several years ago when this question first came to light.  Now, the IAOMT got involved, and if anyone was going to get answers, it is them.  The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is a global network of dentists, health professionals, and scientists.  They are a non-profit organization and have been dedicated to their mission of protecting public health and the environment since they were founded in 1984.  They accomplish their mission by funding, investigating and promoting non-invasive scientifically valid therapies, and educating medical and dental professionals, policy-makers, and the general public.

There is another dental office that has already put together a comprehensive review of the graphene research, the IAOMT, and their back and forth with the dental anesthetic companies.  Please read the full review here:

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE LINK --> Anesthetic in Fargo, ND | Holistic Dentistry

You will notice near the top it has a section on "what dental anesthetic has been tested".

They list Septocaine and Orabloc:

Articaine Hydrochloride 4% and epinephrine 1:200,000
Manufacturer: Pierrel
Brand Name: Orabloc

Articaine Hydrochloride 4% and Epinephrine 1:200,000
Manufacturer: Septodont by Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada, Inc
Brand Name: Septocaine

These are the two that have been tested but let's not jump to conclusions that it means that both of these anesthetics 100% contain graphene.  Reading further, only one of the entries (July 22nd, 2024: Is there Graphene in dental anesthetic?) had the conclusion from Jessica C. Hankins, Sr Professional Research Assistant, Raman Microspectroscopy and Geomicrobiology Lab Manager reports "I can affirm the presence of graphene oxide particles in this anesthetic with high confidence.".

Other than that, the wording is scientifically vague:

"Carbon Complexes: Denoted peak positions correlate to the D and G peaks of graphene oxide (~1350cm-1 and ~1585 cm-1 respectively), but there is no 2D peak in the ~2700 cm-1 range.  A material can be categorized as graphene oxide with the absence of the 2D peak, however, I cannot say with certainty that these particles are composed of graphene oxide from this analysis alone."

One article looking at Septocaine explained the black looking objects visible on the slides as ice particles:  "The images showed some degree of ice contamination (black particles), which is not unusual for vitrified samples."

This does not mean that Meetinghouse Dental does not believe there is graphene in the anesthetics.  On the contrary, we have to assume there probably is.  We continually strive to find the cleanest possible ingredients with everything we use in office, but there is a problem with this particular issue.  The dental anesthetic companies are flat out denying the presence of graphene or any of its derivatives in the pre, mid, or post production of their products.  So, unlike finding a biocompatible composite filling where I can ask the company questions regarding bisphenols, phthalates, fluoride, methacrylates, etc., I can't call and vet the anesthetic companies.  I can't confirm or deny the inclusion of a molecule that they adamantly claim to not be in their product.

While I did this investigation over the phone, Dr. Lundstrom has his communication with the manufacturer very well documented through email.  Please read through the above link provided if you want to see the manufacture responses for other brands of anesthetics, but below, I have included the communication of Pierrel, the manufactures of OraBloc because that is the type we currently use:

Articaine Hydrochloride 4% with EPI 1:200,000 (OraBloc)

Manufacturer: Pierrel

Question posed to the company: "Is there any graphene, graphene hydroxide, graphene oxide, carbon nanoparticles, hydrogel or lipid nanoparticles added to your Articaine Hydrochloric 4% Local Anesthetic?

Response from the company:

Date: February 20, 2023

Date: February 23, 2023

He also has documentation from Septodont, but as of this writing, I do not believe he received an official answer.  So... for OraBloc, that declaration letter is as specific of an answer you can possibly hope to get from the company.  They are clear that there is no graphene present in OraBloc.  Could they be lying?  Sure, there is always that possibility.  But, if we are to assume they are lying, this takes the presence of graphene away from the scientific use of prolonging the numbing affect and puts it into a much more malicious context.  There are several possible, and quite interesting theories surrounding this topic, but they would all be purely conjecture without proof.

Meetinghouse Dental is constantly on the look out for the most biocompatible materials to incorporate into practice.  As soon as the IAOMT or any other dentist declares to find a fully guaranteed "clean" anesthetic we will make the switch. If any patient has new information on this topic, please feel free to call our office and ask to speak with Dr. Anthony.