A study comparing the anesthetic efficacy of articaine versus lidocaine reports a relative risk (RR) of 3.1, 95% CI (2.8–3.9), and p-value < 0.001. What is the correct interpretation?

An RR greater than 1.0 means the outcome (anesthetic success) is more likely in the articaine group than in the lidocaine group. With RR = 3.1, articaine provides approximately 3 times the anesthetic success rate of lidocaine. The 95% confidence interval (2.8–3.9) does not cross 1.0, confirming the result is statistically significant. The p-value < 0.001 further confirms this is not due to chance. This does not address safety — only efficacy. Multiple meta-analyses confirm articaine has superior anesthetic efficacy, particularly for mandibular posterior teeth.