Use Oraqix (lidocaine and prilocaine periodontal gel) 2.5%/2.5% to fight fear

Like all dentists, Veasey B. Cullen, Jr., DMD, is well aware that most patients are afraid of injections. That’s why this longtime periodontist with practices in York and Hanover, Pa., loves using Oraqix topical anesthetic gel from DENTSPLY Pharmaceutical.

The product, which can be delivered quickly by his hygienists, allows him to work more efficiently, but, more importantly, it helps patients avoid the fright of injections in many cases.

What the dentist, Dr. Veasey B. Cullen, Jr., thinks about Oraqix
To me, the whole thing with dentistry has changed. Everybody’s afraid of pain. That’s why there are big access-to-care issues. People don’t want to access care because they’re afraid of what happens.

They talk about decayed teeth costing hours of work … it all comes down to fear. And fear is related to pain. And, obviously, the best way to avoid pain is with a topical.

Nobody comes in and says, “I want my injection.” Of course, Oraqix is a great topical product. I’d say its only drawback is taste. Some people don’t like it, but, boy, they sure accept it as opposed to being uncomfortable.

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As a periodontist, my treatment is site-specific. We have disease at localized sites, and, of course, you can relieve discomfort at a specific site. The topical is site-specific-much more so than local anesthetic. And the treatment is site-specific.
From an access-to-care standpoint, if people are handled in a way where you minimize pain, they’re willing to access care.

It’s really a winner of a product in an office. Because it’s a topical, I can have my hygienists apply it very safely without any risk to the patients. That helps to prepare the site so I can work. I may be able to go to another location or another patient while they’re putting the Oraqix in.

In summary
It helps to make care more efficient financially, and especially emotionally, for patients. I couldn’t be more positive about what it does. It’s less threatening biologically. If you’re injecting someone, you’re really putting something into the biological system. But using Oraqix really is a positive.

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More about Oraqix
Oraqix is a topically applied amide drug approved by the FDA for scaling and root planing procedures.

Important Risk Information
• Oraqix is not for injection.
• Oraqix is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to local anesthetics.
• Oraqix should not be used in patients with congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia.
• Oraqix should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
• Exercise caution when administering to a nursing woman.
• Most common adverse reactions ( >15 percent) are application site reactions, including pain, soreness, irritation, numbness, ulcerations, vesicles, edema, abscess and/or redness.

Oraqix
Oraqix, a combination of lidocaine and prilocaine, is uniquely combined with a thermosetting system to deliver pain relief where it’s needed. Combining both of these amides into a single treatment provides dual benefits that are important for creating an appropriate anesthetizing effect, fast onset and a duration that should be long enough to work for the entire treatment.

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