By Dr John Carrigy, Foundation Dental, Brisbane, QLD
This topical anaesthetic gel consists of lignocaine 25 mg/g and prilocaine 25 mg/g. One of the challenges of delivering periodontal therapy is soft tissue and cervical sensitivity. This product provides fast-acting and very effective light anaesthesia. We’ve been using it regularly in our surgery for the past four years.
What’s good about
Applying a small amount along the gingival margins and the interproximal regions reduces the potential discomfort of periodontal debridement (scaling and root planing) quite dramatically. It is also very useful in providing short-acting soft tissue anaesthesia for gingival retraction, orthodontic band placement or removal, implant fixture level impressions or implant abutment placement.
Patients have been very positive about this product because it’s easy to apply, it wears off quickly and there is no ‘fat lip’ feeling. Of course it’s biggest positive is that there are no needles involved.
What’s not so good
The applicator is clumsy and poorly designed from an infection control point of view. We have addressed this by only using the applicator outside of the surgery to prepare smaller single-use disposable syringes for clinical use.
The gel tastes a little bitter and is very fluid so it spreads easily.
Where did you get it
Dentsply
