Which group do all injectable local anesthetics in dental practice belong to?

All injectable local anesthetics used in dental practice primarily belong to the amide group. This group includes widely used anesthetics such as lidocaine, articaine, and mepivacaine. Amide local anesthetics are characterized by their chemical structure, which includes a nitrogen atom connected to the aromatic ring and an amide linkage. One of the key advantages of amide local anesthetics is their stability and longer duration of action compared to ester anesthetics.

Amides are metabolized in the liver, making them suitable for patients with a variety of health issues and offering a broader safety profile. In contrast, ester anesthetics, such as procaine and benzocaine, are rarely used in injectable forms in dental settings due to their higher potential for allergic reactions and a shorter half-life, as they are metabolized by plasma esterases.

The prevalence of amide anesthetics in injectable forms aligns with current practice trends in dentistry, emphasizing their importance in ensuring effective pain management during dental procedures.