Analysis of the analgesic efficacy and cost-effective use of long-acting local anesthetics in outpatient third molar surgery.

Bupivacaine hydrochloride, an amide-type of long-acting local anesthetic was compared with lidocaine hydrochloride to determine its analgesic efficacy and its cost-effective use in an oral and maxillofacial surgery private practice. The results show that 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride provides greater analgesia than 2% lidocaine, with an insignificant cost increase to the operating surgeon.