Name a topical anesthetic.

Name a topical anesthetic.

• A. Lidocaine
• B. Procaine
• C. Benzocaine
• D. Articaine

Answer: (C)

Topical anesthetics numb surface tissue by blocking sodium channels in nerve membranes, preventing pain signals from being transmitted. Benzocaine fits this role best in dentistry because it’s specifically formulated for quick-onset numbness on oral mucosa with a short duration, making it ideal for numbing the area before injections or minor procedures. Onset is typically within 30 seconds to a couple of minutes, and the numbness usually wears off in about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on concentration and amount used. Other agents listed are more commonly used as injectables or are older/topical options with less suitability for routine mucosal numbing, so benzocaine is the most appropriate topical choice.

Topical anesthetics numb surface tissue by blocking sodium channels in nerve membranes, preventing pain signals from being transmitted. Benzocaine fits this role best in dentistry because it’s specifically formulated for quick-onset numbness on oral mucosa with a short duration, making it ideal for numbing the area before injections or minor procedures. Onset is typically within 30 seconds to a couple of minutes, and the numbness usually wears off in about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on concentration and amount used. Other agents listed are more commonly used as injectables or are older/topical options with less suitability for routine mucosal numbing, so benzocaine is the most appropriate topical choice.