Definition: Novocaine is the brand name of the local anesthetic that was used in the past to numb the mouth prior to dental work and dental surgeries. Novocaine has been replaced by anesthetics that are safer and more effective, such as Lidocaine and Xylocaine. Novocaine has basically become a generic name for most of the local anesthetics that are used in dentistry today.
Pronunciation: No-va-caine
Common Misspellings: Novacaine
