According to the ADA colour-coding standard for dental anesthetic cartridges, what colour band identifies 2% lidocaine with 1:50,000 epinephrine?

Correct answer: D. Green

• A. Red identifies 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, the everyday workhorse cartridge.
• B. Gold identifies 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (Septocaine).
• C. Silver/grey identifies 4% prilocaine plain in the ADA scheme.
• D. CORRECT. GREEN identifies 2% lidocaine with 1:50,000 epinephrine. This is the most concentrated vasoconstrictor formulation available and is reserved for LOCAL HAEMOSTASIS in a limited surgical field — it offers no advantage in depth or duration of anesthesia over 1:100,000, only more epinephrine.

Note: The ADA colour scheme worth memorising: light blue = 3% mepivacaine plain; tan = 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin; grey/silver = 4% prilocaine plain; yellow = 4% prilocaine with 1:200,000 epi; blue = 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epi; gold = 4% articaine 1:100,000; green = lidocaine 1:50,000; red = lidocaine 1:100,000.