Novocaine is used to numb pain during short medical or dental procedures. Because it’s fast-acting and doesn’t cause numbness for an extended period of time, novocaine is used for minor same-day surgery and dental procedures that take less than an hour.
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Novocain, or procaine, is a local anesthetic widely used in dentistry. Classified as an ester-type local anesthetic, Novocain temporarily blocks nerve signals in the targeted area by inhibiting sodium ion influx into nerve cells. This results in pain relief during dental procedures such as fillings or extractions. While newer anesthetics have largely replaced Novocain due to its short duration, it remains a valuable option for less invasive dental procedures. Dentists administer Novocain via injection, ensuring patient comfort by numbing the specific region without affecting consciousness. Its use exemplifies the crucial role of local anesthetics in minimizing pain during dental treatments.