LOCAL ANESTHETIC-INDUCED ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN DENTISTRY: CURRENT PERSPECTIVES AND KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Background: Local anesthetics (LAs) are frequently utilized in dentistry. Despite their generally well-tolerated nature, they can occasionally induce adverse reactions of varying types and severity. The actual prevalence of allergic reactions to these agents remains unknown. The review objectives were to evaluate the occurrence of immediate adverse events in individuals undergoing local anaesthetic injections for dental procedures, observe the frequency of anaphylactic allergic reactions among documented adverse events, and scrutinize the relationship between the atopic history of these patients and documented allergic reactions.

Materials and Methods: A thorough literature review was undertaken, examining articles discussing the utilization of local anesthetics during dental treatments in healthy patients, regardless of age. All potential reactions that could manifest during treatment following the anaesthetic administration were considered. Results: Fourteen articles were chosen, revealing reactions not ascribable to allergic causes. The majority were mild, swiftly reversible psychogenic or vasovagal reactions. One instance was associated with deficiencies in the anesthetic technique. In two other cases, allergic causation was dismissed following skin and dosed provocative challenge tests with the anaesthetic. Conclusion: Allergic reactions to local anesthetics are infrequent. The majority of adverse reactions tend to be psychogenic or vasovagal. Physicians and dentists must be aware of these findings to alleviate common fears and dispel myths surrounding using local anesthetics in dental practices.