Novocain is the brand name of the anesthetic Procaine Hydrochloride. Procaine causes loss of feeling (numbness) of skin and mucous membranes. Procaine is a local anesthetic that is used as an injection during surgery and other medical and dental procedures. Procaine should not be administered to people who suffer from the following conditions:
Liver problems Bleeding or blood clotting problems
· Heart problems
Other serious medical conditions
Novocain is injected into the blood stream and this injection alone is enough to make patients nervous about undergoing any sort of dental procedure where an anesthetic is required. Such patients may want to consider asking for nitrous oxide or laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask clamped over the nose. It relaxes the patient leading them to a state of giddiness. The patient remains awake for the procedure but are much more calm. Nitrous oxide raises the patient’s pain threshold so the Novocain injection is easier to bear.
Usually one shot of Novocain should be enough to numb the patient for the duration of any dental procedure. Some patients however have “accessory innervation” from nerves in nearby areas such as the neck or under the tongue especially in cases where the lower molar areas are being sedated. These circumstances call for alternative injection techniques. One possibility is a periodontal ligament injection in which the injection is given between the tooth and gum line.
Along with its needed effects a Novocain may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur if they do occur after injection of procaine you may need medical attention.
Bluish lips and fingernails; breathing problems; chest pain; convulsions (seizures); dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; fever; headache; irregular heartbeat; itching; nausea and/or vomiting; pale skin; raised red swellings on the skin lips tongue or in the throat; rapid heart rate; restlessness; unusual tiredness or weakness; Back pain; constipation; difficulty in opening the mouth; inability to hold bowel movement and/or urine; loss of sexual function; paralysis of legs; persistent numbness; prolonged numbness or tingling of lips and mouth; shivering; skin rash; tingling or pins and needles sensation.
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