Dental numbing typically lasts between 1 to 5 hours, depending on the type of anesthetic used and other factors.

• Short-acting local anesthetics, like Novocaine (procaine), usually numb for about 30 to 60 minutes, or up to 90 minutes if combined with epinephrine

• Lidocaine, the most common dental anesthetic, generally causes numbness lasting about 1 to 3 hours

• Articaine may prolong numbness slightly longer, around 2 to 4 hours

• Longer-lasting anesthetics like bupivacaine can cause numbness for 4 to 6 hours or more

• Some sources note that numbing effects can last up to 8 hours with extra long-lasting anesthetics

Other factors influencing duration include the amount of anesthetic injected, injection technique, the area treated, and individual metabolism

. Most dental numbness resolves within a few hours after the procedure, but mild soreness at the injection site may last a few days

. In summary, typical dental numbing lasts from about 1 to 5 hours, with variability depending on the anesthetic type and patient factors.