Dental Pharmacology Flashcards
6 cards from real Dental practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Dental Pharmacology flashcards as text
Which local anesthetic has the longest duration of action and is most appropriate for lengthy dental surgical procedures?
Answer: Bupivacaine
Bupivacaine (Marcaine) 0.5% provides the longest duration of pulpal and soft tissue anesthesia, making it the preferred choice for lengthy oral surgical procedures and for postoperative pain control.
What is the maximum safe dose of lidocaine with epinephrine for a healthy adult patient?
Answer: 4.4 mg/kg (max 300 mg)
The maximum recommended dose of lidocaine with epinephrine for healthy adults is 4.4 mg/kg with an absolute maximum of 300 mg to avoid local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST).
Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse is prescribed to manage which common dental condition?
Answer: Gingivitis and periodontal maintenance
Chlorhexidine 0.12% is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial rinse FDA-approved for reducing gingivitis and plaque; it is commonly used in periodontal maintenance protocols.
A patient presents with an acute dentoalveolar abscess. Which is the most important first step in management before antibiotic therapy?
Answer: Achieve local drainage (incision and drainage or extraction/pulp treatment)
Surgical drainage — through incision and drainage, pulp access, or extraction — is the definitive treatment for a dental abscess; antibiotics are adjunctive and cannot penetrate poorly vascularized necrotic tissue.
Which hemostatic agent is commonly packed into an extraction socket to promote clotting and reduce postoperative bleeding?
Answer: Oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) or collagen sponge
Oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) and resorbable collagen sponges are commonly used hemostatic agents placed in extraction sockets to support clot formation and control postoperative bleeding.
Tetracycline antibiotics are generally contraindicated in children under 8 years old because they cause which adverse effect?
Answer: Permanent tooth discoloration (intrinsic staining)
Tetracyclines chelate calcium and are incorporated into developing enamel and dentin, causing permanent yellow-gray-brown intrinsic staining of teeth when used during tooth development.