- With Mayo Clinic prosthodontist
Alan Carr, D.M.D.
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Alan Carr, D.M.D.
Alan B. Carr, D.M.D.
Dr. Alan B. Carr, Department of Dental Specialties at Mayo Clinic, is a consultant in the Division of Prosthodontics and a professor of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Dr. Carr, a native of Hattiesburg, MS., received his prosthodontics training at Mayo. Following his training he has was an assistant professor at Marquette University and then became a full professor at Ohio State University where his clinical duties included Director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics at the James Cancer Hospital. He returned to Mayo in 2000.
Dr. Carr is board certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. He served in the Air Force and has degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He also is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Dental Association. He has made dozens of international and national presentations, and is author of a dental textbook.
His clinical practice focuses on combined prosthodontics and reconstruction of patients with disabling oral conditions. His research interests include oral and craniofacial endosseous implants, tobacco cessation, and the impact of oral health on general health, especially for patients with chronic illness and the elderly.
Treatments and drugs (2)
- Dental fillings: Should metal fillings be replaced with composite?
- OraVerse: Reversing dental numbness
Prevention (2)
- Electric toothbrush: Better than a regular toothbrush?
- Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
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Question
OraVerse: Reversing dental numbness
I need a new dental crown but dislike having my mouth numb for hours afterward. Is there anything that can speed my recovery?
Answer
from Alan Carr, D.M.D.
Dental work — including fillings, crowns and root canals — often includes a local anesthetic that numbs the lips and tongue. The numbness can last two or more hours after the procedure. When your mouth and lips are numb, smiling, talking and drinking can be difficult.
Phentolamine mesylate (OraVerse) speeds up the return of normal sensation to your lips and mouth following dental work. Studies show that OraVerse — given as an injection after dental work is done — returns normal sensations in the lip, cheek and tongue 75 to 85 minutes faster than without the drug.
How OraVerse works isn't fully understood, but it's thought to increase blood flow to the soft tissue area. OraVerse only works if the original anesthetic contains a medication that narrows your blood vessels (vasoconstrictor), such as epinephrine.
Phentolamine mesylate belongs to a class of drugs that can cause rapid heartbeats and irregular heart rhythms. Though such events are uncommon with OraVerse, tell your dentist if you have a history of cardiovascular disease.
OraVerse is not recommended for children under age 6 or for children who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms). OraVerse isn't covered by dental insurance.
Next questionElectric toothbrush: Better than a regular toothbrush?
- Statistical review and evaluation: OraVerse. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed May 26, 2009.
- OraVerse (phentolamine mesylate) injection. Novalar. http://www.novalar.com/assets/pdf/dp_brochure.pdf. Accessed May 26, 2009.
- FAQs for dental professionals. Novalar. http://www.novalar.com/oraverse/dental-professionals/faqs. Accessed May 26, 2009.
- OraVerse receives FDA approval. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=3043. Accessed May 26, 2009.
