X-Tip FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) Continued

Q: What would happen if I accidentally hit a root with the X-tip drill?
A: If you had not pre-numbed the area, the patient might report a slight pain when you hit the periodontal ligament. At that point, it would feel like you hit a brick wall, and it would be very difficult to progress further. The nicking of the ligament should heal quickly and uneventfully, with little or no post-op pain.

Q: Every now and then I notice some of the anesthetic solution leaking back around the needle. Am I doing anything wrong, and will the patient still get numb when this happens?
A:  No, you are not doing anything wrong. You may occasionally see some anesthetic leakage. Injecting at a slower rate helps minimize this leakage and most of the time you will still get profound anesthesia. It's also a good idea to have your assistant use the suction to collect any leakage to keep the bitter taste away from the patient's tongue. Remember the following tips for using the X-tip:
Be certain to use the 27-gauge extra-short needle included with the X-Tip guide sleeve. If a 30-gauge or smaller needle is used, or a needle is used that is made by another manufacturer, extra space between the needle and the guide sleeve can cause leakage.
Always hold the drill perpendicular to the bone. Holding the drill at an angle increases the amount of bone that must be penetrated, and may not result in successful penetration of the cortical plate.
Even if you feel the sudden give and are convinced you are through the cortical plate, you might have pressed the guide sleeve against a tooth root, an exceptionally dense area of bone. If you are too close to the crest of the ridge you may have entered the opposite cortical plate of bone. All of these situations can block the tip of the guide sleeve forcing the solution back around the needle. If this occurs, insert a new X-Tip in the hand piece, move to a more favorable site, and try again.
A rubber stopper over the ultra-short anesthetic needle may also provide a positive seal against the guide sleeve.

Q: Can I bend the anesthetic needle for better access in the posterior area?
A: It is not recommended. Bending the needle may weaken the needle and cause separation. For posterior cases, it may be more ideal to inject mesial vs. distal to the tooth to be anesthetized.  

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