Most patients dread the thought of leaving the office after a dental procedure and remaining numb for a long period of time.  Although it is important to be completely numb while the dentist is working on your tooth or teeth, it is no longer necessary to be faced with a period of residual soft-tissue numbness following the use of local anesthetic. 

Residual soft-tissue anesthesia results in patients experiencing the following:

>a perception of altered physical appearance

>a lack of sensation

>functional loss of the tongue and lips 

>altered speech

>cheek and tongue biting 

Returning to work  or meeting with friends or family for lunch or dinner after a dental visit will not be hampered by having a numb tongue or lip. Our office offers a way to reduce soft tissue numbness of the lips and tongue by 1/2 the time. 

The FDA granted approval of phentolamine mesylate (Ora Verse) injection for the reversal of soft tissue anesthetic in May of 2008.  Clinical trials have been conducted to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of OraVerse for soft-tissue anesthetic reversal although it is not recommended for use in children younger than 6 years of age or weighing less than 33 lbs.