Nanoparticles in Dental Anaesthetics – What’s the Buzz About Graphene and Should You Be Concerned?

Lately, we’ve heard some of you asking about nanoparticles, particularly graphene, in dental anesthetics. It’s a topic that’s been floating around online and shared via whatsapp groups, sparking curiosity and even a bit of worry. At South Downs Dental Care we want to explain what we know and try and separate fact from fiction. We will look at what nanoparticles like graphene are, why they’re linked to dental anaesthetics, and whether there’s any reason to lose sleep over it.

What Are Nanoparticles and Graphene?

First things first: nanoparticles are tiny particles, measured in nanometres (a billionth of a metre), that scientists can engineer for specific purposes. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern. It’s incredibly strong, conducts electricity, and has unique properties that make it a hot topic in research, from electronics to medicine. On it’s own it is not inherently magnetic.

In dentistry, nanoparticles have been explored for things like strengthening fillings, fighting bacteria on implants, or even delivering drugs more effectively. Graphene, in particular, has caught attention for its potential to enhance materials or prolong effects such as in experimental drug carriers.

Graphene in Dental Anaesthetics?

So, where did this idea of graphene in the dental setting come from? Posts on platforms like X, Instagram, tik tok and some blogs have said that graphene oxide (a related compound) is found in dental local anaesthetics, like lidocaine or articaine, as a hidden additive. The online posts show how to test for it, move it to the end of the dental anaesthetic vial using heat and a magnet and also which dentists are “graphene-free”.

Digging Into the Science

The first thing to look at is whether there is verification available for the claims. What evidence is being presented, how has that evidence been collected and analysed. E.g. If you wanted to analyse dental local anaesthetics in the way described you would likely

1.      Take a random selection of dental anaesthetic carpules[the glass vial] and have a sample from each tested for ingredients and compare to those found in the manufacturers stated contents

2.      Test with temperature over selected readings

3.      Apply magnets in a specific way over various known magnetic field strengths

4.      Any particles seemingly found would then be analysed to determine what they are.

Within the online posts none of the above has been done nor has any specific study or evidence been given to support the claim in dental local anaesthetics. One of the videos/posts cites the Spanish group, La Quinta Columna. Looking through their documentation at www.laquintacolumna.net and  www.laquintacolumna.info no reference to dental anaesthetics within their documents or articles can be found.

Some batches of vaccines were found to contain components that were not disclosed and one could argue that either that was because they knew and ignored the presence or never tested the batches fully.

As for standard medical and dental local anaesthetics, e.g. lidocaine with epinephrine or 4% articaine—are well-studied, tightly regulated formulas that have been around for decades and used for epidurals, local anaesthesia and dental anaesthesia. Their ingredients are the anaesthetic agent, a vasoconstrictor (to keep it localized), and a sterile saline base. There is no evidence to date that supports graphene has made it into the cartridges we use at your appointments.

Claims about graphene oxide in anaesthetics often stem from misinterpretations or unverified sources. For instance, a 2023 post from a holistic dentistry site mentioned a University of Colorado study allegedly finding graphene oxide in a common anaesthetic. However, no peer-reviewed publication confirms this, and batch testing by manufacturers consistently shows no such additives. Without solid, reproducible data, these claims remain speculative at best.

Reassurance From Us to You

The anaesthetics we use—like Lignospan or Septocaine—are the same formulas dentists have relied on for decades. They are all manufactured in a few factories across Europe and the USA and if something new like graphene ever became included in dental anaesthetics or any verified study found graphene in anaesthetics we’d be the first to let you know

If you have any questions or find any info please feel free to drop us a line or chat with us at your next visit.