Patent ID: 8263047

Claim:
A topical anesthetic for use in producing local anesthesia in about three to five minutes when applied to the oral mucosa prior to a dental treatment, said topical anesthetic comprising tetracaine base in an amount from about 4 wt % to about 8 wt % of the topical anesthetic in a non-aqueous vehicle, wherein the non-aqueous vehicle comprises a high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in combination with a cellulose polymer, wherein the combination makes up about 10 wt % of the topical anesthetic, and said high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer is present in an amount from about 3 wt % to about 8 wt % of the combination; propylene glycol in an amount from about 5 wt % to 15 wt % of the topical anesthetic; and a plasticized hydrocarbon gel in an amount of about 70 wt % of the topical anesthetic, said topical anesthetic being stable under refrigeration for at least six months as to efficacy and potency of the tetracaine base as an anesthetic.