After all the buzz in the past two years about a new type of carpule that also starts with an “O,” you may think you’ve seen this product before. In one sense it’s similar: it must be used in conjunction with your regular anesthetic instead of as an anesthesia alternative. What’s more exciting is that this just may change the way we prepare syringes for every single patient from now on.
Onset™ is the name of a new buffering agent created by Onpharma™ Inc. that will be available as soon as the final FDA review is complete. If you can answer yes to these questions, read on:
   |
|
The idea behind the pH buffering isn’t novel, but the patented device is. Onpharma™ has created a simple system that can be used with all anesthetics and also solves the problems of shelf life and proper dosing. Product previews aren’t yet available on the internet so all images and details will be withheld here at DentalBuzz until further notice (it’s so hard to hold a secret, though!).
If your curiosity is now piqued, make sure to click over to the Onpharma™ website and sign up so that the company can let you know when you can purchase Onset™.
Just don’t expect it to be rapid. 
____________________________
| 8/8/10 Update: Here’s the sneak peak of the prototype; the buzz is that the dosing indicator will have further refinements before the product comes to market. |
|
|
6/25/12 Update:
So not really an update, but what about an alternative? Here’s an HD video that shows how to buffer anesthetic without without the high expense of the Onpharma Onset pen:
Any idea how much this will cost?
Onpharma is currently estimating the cost to be 5 to 7 dollars per injection. Thanks for asking!
So, if I’m understanding this right, basically it’s an additive to the usual anesthesia that you use to make the experience better. It reduces the acidity of the shot and helps the active ingredients take effect much quicker, am I right? It sounds wonderful if that’s what it is, though I’ve always had lidocaine rubbed on my gums first and then the injection slowly started up and I’ve never had a problem with it. Most of the time I wasn’t even aware that they had started the injection, and I’ve had to have a full root canal and four impacted wisdom teeth pulled. Still, if it helps people get the dental surgery they need, I’m all for it.
Donald from Tooth Extraction Pain How Long
We have been using the Onset system by Onpharma now for about 4 weeks and I can tell you from personal experience that it is incredible. The Onset system buffers your local anesthetic, Lidocaine, raising the ph ideally to 7.5 resulting in a painless injection for the patient, eliminating the “bee sting”. It also increasing the concentration of “active” anesthetic by approximately 6000 %, resulting in instantaneous anesthesia. No waiting time. We inject, painlessly, and start in on our procedure immediately. We save on average 10-15 minutes per procedure! The patients love it and enjoy less time in the dental chair. Can’t say enough about how it is having such a positive impact on our practice.
Dr. Pope, you seem to know a lot about the Onset system. Thank you for the thumbs up about this product! If there is a way for other dental practices to use this in their offices prior to FDA approval as you have, I hope that you can come back here to post contact information for interested dentists.
The Onset System by Onpharma already has FDA approval and has been distributed to a select few dentists to test the final product version prior to national release, possibly in September or October. You can go to http://www.onpharma.com for more information and sign up to be notified when the Onset System is available. I can tell you that it will change how you do dentistry. It has for us!
We have been using Onset for about four weeks with excellent results. For now, the buffering agent is only to be used with lidocaine. The formula to buffer other anesthetics will be published in the near future, I understand. We get deep, quick anesthesia, with no injection sting. Have not needed topical anesthetic, as patients don’t feel the sting. I have had onset used on me with the same results.
Great to hear this feedback. Several of my clients are using Onset with great results. As a practice management consultant, I have to say that as exciting as the science is, what is really awesome is the management potential. They are myriad benefits–because you can get to work almost immediately, it means less chair time for the patient, the potential for more patients seen in the day, increased production and real marketing potential…particularly for the early adopters. Get on board!
So, if I’m understanding this right, basically it’s an additive to the usual anesthesia that you use to make the experience better. It reduces the acidity of the shot and helps the active ingredients take effect much quicker, am I right? It sounds wonderful if that’s what it is, though I’ve always had lidocaine rubbed on my gums first and then the injection slowly started up and I’ve never had a problem with it. Most of the time I wasn’t even aware that they had started the injection, and I’ve had to have a full root canal and four impacted wisdom teeth pulled. Still, if it helps people get the dental surgery they need, I’m all for it. Donald from Tooth Extraction Pain How Long
Any idea how much this will cost?
Onpharma is presently taking and sending out orders across the U.S. for the Onset system. You can contact them directly at http://www.onpharma.com to find out the exact costs. In our office, I think it adds up to about $5 per patient. I save at least 10-15 minutes per procedure which is a big plus for everyone. Shorter, painless appointments for the patient and the ability to see more patients in a day for me and my staff. Win/win. I am already looking back and wondering how I could have practiced for so many years without this product and the amount of time that was wasted waiting for the anesthetic to work.
Our practice has been using Onset for a couple of months now and found it to be a prime example of a product that was oversold and under produced. The product simply did not work as promised. The anesthetic wasn’t as effective and, as a result, was difficult to get patients numb. What’s more is there’s no buy back guarantee – after producing unsatisfactory results, we notified our sales rep who told us we couldn’t even get our money back. As a dentist and a business owner, I find this completely unacceptable. Having said that, I wouldn’t recommend doing future business with Onpharma.
Approximately how many offices use this device? Or even more specific do you know how many dentist offices in San Diego use this?