Taking the express lane back from uncomfortably numb

It’s not easy being numb.

You know the feeling (or rather, lack of it). You’ve had some dental work done and the local anesthetic makes you feel like part of your face is missing. Sure, it wears off after awhile, but it’s annoying. And sometimes embarrassing. Would you like a sip of water? You might want to wait a bit.

But what if I told you that you could shorten the wait?

What if I offered you a drug that would make the anesthetic wear off in half the normal time?

Now you’re talking!

The drug is phentolamine (brand name, OraVerse). And uh…well…just one little thing. Let’s take a quick look at the warnings and precautions: “Myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular spasm, and cerebrovascular occlusion have been reported to occur following the intravenous or intramuscular administration of phentolamine.”

Cerebrovascular spasm?

Hmmm…being numb for a little while suddenly doesn’t seem so bad.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Source:
“Faster Recovery After the Dentist” Ivanhoe Newswire, 12/1/09, ivanhoe.com