Dental Anaesthetic Dose Calculator

Work out dental anaesthetic dose instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Dental Anaesthetic Dose Calculator

Applies the weight-based maximum for a local anaesthetic and caps it at the absolute maximum, then converts to cartridges.

Formula

Local anaesthetic maximum

Maximum dose = min(weight x mg/kg, absolute cap); cartridges = maximum dose / mg per cartridge. A 2.2 mL cartridge of 2% lidocaine contains 44 mg

Worked example

With the default values below, Dental Anaesthetic Dose Calculator returns Maximum safe dose of 490. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Body weightaccepts 5–200 kg: 70 kg
Maximum doseaccepts 1–10 mg/kg: 7 mg/kg
Anaesthetic per cartridgeaccepts 5–100 mg: 36 mg
Absolute maximum doseaccepts 50–1,000 mg: 500 mg

Results

Maximum safe dose: 490 mg
Maximum cartridges: 13.61
Weight-based maximum: 490 mg
Limiting factor: Weight-based maximum is the limit

Step by step

1Values used
2Local anaesthetic maximum
3Maximum safe dose= 490 mg
4Maximum cartridges= 13.61
5Weight-based maximum= 490 mg
6Limiting factor= Weight-based maximum is the limit

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lidocaine maximum?

Commonly 7 mg/kg with adrenaline up to 500 mg, or 4.4 mg/kg without adrenaline; local guidance varies.

Does the vasoconstrictor matter?

Yes. Adrenaline slows systemic absorption, which raises the permitted maximum dose.