ABSTRACT
Local anesthesia is routinely used during dental procedures. Like any invasive procedure, local anesthesia can also lead to complications, which are fortunately rare. The present article reports a clinical case of necrosis of the palatal mucosa developed after the anesthetic infiltration. Furthermore, other complications of local anesthesia are discussed. The clinical prognosis in this type of case is influenced by the ability to make a differential diagnosis excluding the necrotizing sialometaplasia, aphthous ulcer and herpes ulcer as well as by the use of a suitable treatment protocol. Even though the anesthetic necrotic ulcers normally heal spontaneously, the patient’s discomfort and possible complications could be avoided in some cases by the use of mepivacaine (reduced vasodilation effect). Particularly, the use of mepivacaine should be considered in patients with the history of necrotic ulcers or when palatal administration of anesthesia is required.
