Afraid of Needles? Check Out New Dental Procedure

Patients who are afraid of pain while undergoing dental procedures have a new choice: Oraqix. It is a needle-free dental local anesthetic approved by the FDA for use in adults who require localized anesthesia in periodontal procedures such as scaling or root planing.

Oraqix, a mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine, is applied at room temperature using a blunt tip applicator to periodontal pockets as a liquid and transforms within 30 seconds into a stay-in-place gel at body temperature. Oraqix doesn’t involve injection.

The effectiveness for each application is approximately 20 minutes. Clinical studies have demonstrated both the safety and efficacy of Oraqix, according to its makers. In clinical trials, the most common side effects of Oraqix were application site reaction, headache and taste perversion.

Patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics shouldn’t use the product.

If bacterial plaque is not removed regularly, gingivitis often progresses to periodontitis and, eventually, to loosening and loss of the affected teeth.

Free cholesterol info

High cholesterol is a serious health threat that significantly elevates the risk of stroke and heart attack. From statins to dietary and other lifestyle changes, there are several ways to lower the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. To help people make appropriate – and economical – health decisions with their doctor, Consumer Reports Medical Guide offers free information about strategies to reduce high cholesterol, online, at www.consumerreports.org/mg/ home.htm.

– Carolyn Susman