HOUSTON – Ear, nose and throat doctors found that by using an anesthetic nose spray, patients' teeth would be deadened. From this discovery, a nasal spray was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used in dental procedures.
One squirt of the Kovanaze spray in each nostril and the corresponding side of the mouth will become numb within minutes.
Keshawn Newsome has had dental work done with this and with needles.
“You feel just a little sting of it and then you tend to get numb, you know, but with the nasal spray it takes about five minutes and then it's good,” Newsome said.
Dentist Terri Alani, the Texas Tooth Lady, says this type of tetracaine is helping to ease patients' primary concern.
“There's no sharp objects, there's no discomfort, it's just a plus for us to be able to deliver great dentistry without the anxiety of our patients,” Alani said.
There are some downfalls. It’s specifically for the top, front teeth.
“They have not developed anything for the lower teeth yet,” Alani said.
Newsome says the numbing is not as instant as a shot but it’s what he prefers for a little longer pain relief after the procedure.
“So I'm good the whole time,” Newsome laughed.
Alani said patients may not experience the same numbness in the lips and cheeks. It’s contained to the teeth, which can be helpful when they’re doing cosmetic procedures. But she said this method would not be good for people with high blood pressure ir uncontrolled thyroid problems or who are using some antidepressants.