Dental anaesthetics are a type of medicine used during dental procedures to numb areas of the mouth or induce sleep. At Kent Express, our focus is on local anaesthetics and supplying tried and tested pharmaceuticals to our dentists. Here is a rundown of four of the most widely used local anaesthetics in the UK; Septanest, Xylocaine, Lignospan Special and Scandonest.


What is a Local Dental Anaesthetic?

Local anaesthesia is the most common dental aesthetic used in surgery. It is where a small area of the mouth is numbed. The patient remains fully conscious during treatment.

Local anaesthetics are the predominant choice for the following dental procedures:

  • Filings
  • Extractions
  • Root Canal
  • Crown Placement

Administration of local anaesthetics is mostly carried out in one of two ways- infiltration injection or block injection. Infiltration injections involve the numbing of a small area of the mouth at the site of the injection. Block injections cover an entire region of the mouth.

As well as by injection, local anaesthesia can be given as an ointment, spray or drops.

Determining what local anaesthetic to administer, dosage and what technique to use depends not only on the type of procedure but on the patient too. Factors that need considering include patient age, weight, medical history, allergies and what medicines they’re currently taking.


What are the Main Types of Local Anaesthetic?