What is the maximum recommended dose of articaine for dental procedures?

The maximum recommended dose of articaine is 7 mg/kg (not to exceed 500 mg per appointment). Articaine (4% solution with 1:100,000 epinephrine) is widely used in dentistry. For comparison: lidocaine maximum is 4.4 mg/kg (with epi) or 2.2 mg/kg (plain). Articaine's higher dose allowance is related to its rapid plasma ester hydrolysis by plasma esterases, giving it faster metabolism. It is the only amide anesthetic that also has an ester linkage on its thiophene ring.