The Focus for Dentists
As dentists focus on the best oral care health for their patients, safety and comfort are primary concerns. Some researchers have concluded that quality periodontal SRP procedures may even depend upon effective pain control.
Oraqix, one of the safest anesthetics available today, is administered needle-free, making it an ideal choice for patients concerned about pain.
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Oraqix is the only FDA-approved, needle-free anesthesia available for scaling and root planing, an important claim for dentists who insist on proven safety and efficacy for their patients.
Oraqix, administered without the needle, provides appropriate, clinically-proven pain relief for scaling and root planing procedures.2 Not only is it preferred by 70% of patients over injectable anesthesia8 it has been cited by 45% as a reason they are more willing to return for additional dental care.7 Additionally, because the effect diminishes after 20 minutes, returning the patient to normal sensitivity, normal activities can resume sooner and patients report far less post-procedural complications.
Monthly Time Saved with 5 Minutes Room Turnaround Time
4| 1 RDH, 10 SRP patients per month | 100 minutes | 150 minutes |
| Group practice, 2 RDH, 10 SRP patients per month | 200 minutes | 300 minutes |
| Perio practice, 1 RDH, 30 SRP patients per month | 300 minutes | 600 minutes |
* Time savings are based on reduced turnaround time for rooms, 15 minutes, and reduced time for the actual procedure, 53 minutes.
In addition to the fast 30-second onset time (5 minutes for other agents), Oraqix, a non-injectable anesthetic, may be administered by dental hygienists; no need to wait for the dentist to administer pain control. Additionally, with patients more comfortable, and the ability to perform full-mouth SRP, procedure time is actually reduced. A full-mouth procedure can be completed in one or two visits, versus the customary four visits for separate quadrants. Full-mouth scaling and root planing has been found to be clinically as effective as four, one-quadrant visits5 and to take significantly less time overall.6
Patients who experience reduced pain and increased comfort during procedures are more likely to return for follow-up care and treatment. Roughly 10% of patients cancel appointments due to apprehension about the injection for scaling and root planing and 26% avoid treatment entirely because of their fear of injection. When patients received Oraqix, 45% state they are more willing to return.7
The active pharmaceutical ingredients in Oraqix, lidocaine and prilocaine, have an established safety profile. There is minimal risk for an allergic reaction. Oraqix is so safe it is not contraindicated on inflamed tissue and can be reapplied to the same pocket up to a maximum of five cartridges.
Consider these facts:
- 26% of adults are so fearful of anesthetic injections, they don’t seek the dental care they need7
- Of those patients who were treated for scaling and root planing, 35% reported that the injection was the most bothersome part of treatment8
- 45% of patients surveyed admitted they would be more likely to seek dental treatment if pain relief could be provided without an injection8
- 46% of patients report that post-treatment numbness due to injections is somewhat or quite bothersome, and as much as 64% would accept mild pain just to avoid an injection and post-procedural numbness8
Based on dentists experience and what patients have reported, Oraqix is the brand most trusted by dentists for alleviating pain during scaling and root planing procedures:
- 70% of patients prefer Oraqix to injectable anesthesia8
- 80% of clinical study patients reported being “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the efficacy of Oraqix8
- Post-procedural problems were significantly reduced with Oraqix compared to an injection:
- Bothered by numbness: 16% for Oraqix vs. 66% for injection8
- Unpleasant soreness and pain after treatment: 44% for Oraqix vs. 63% for injection8
- Daily activity disruptions: 19% for Oraqix vs. 69% for injection8
- 45% of patients are more willing to return when treated with Oraqix instead of an injectable anesthetic7
- Decreased risk of “no-show” patients (approximately 10% of patients in the U.S. because they are apprehensive about the injection for scaling and root planing)8
2 Van Steenberge D, Bercy P, DeBoiver J, et al. Patient evaluation of a novel noninjectable anesthetic gel: a multicenter crossover study comparing the gel to infiltration anesthesia during scaling and/or root planing. J Periodontal. 2004 75(11):147`-`478.
3 Hein C. PointPerio clinical consultant experience and feedback from lecture participants. 2000-2005.
4 Blair, Charles: Scaling Up Productivity with Technololgy. Dental Economics 2006; 96 (12) Supple 1:5.
5 Jervoe-Storm, PM, et al. Clincial outcomes of quadrant root planing versus full-mouth root planing. J Clin Periodontol 2006; 33(3):209-215.
6 Koshy, G, et al. Effects of single-visit full-mouth ultrasonic debridement versus quadrant-wise ultrasonic debridement. J Clin Periodontol 2005; 32(7): 7327-743.
7 Crawford S, Niessen L, Wong S, et al. Quantification of patient fears regarding dental injections and patient perceptions of local noninjectable anesthetic gel. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2005;26(1Suppl):11-14
8 Van Steenberge D, Bercy P, DeBoiver J, et al. Patient evaluation of a novel noninjectable anesthetic gel: a multicenter crossover study comparing the gel to infiltration anesthesia during scaling and/or root planing. J Periodontal. 2004 75(11):147`-`478.