title: The curse of discovery: pioneers of dental and medical anesthesia.
abstract: The current practice of dental local anesthesia remains founded upon drugs and techniques that were developed over 100 years ago. 2009 marks the 125th anniversary of the pioneering use of cocaine as a topical anesthetic and the introduction of nerve block injections in the oral cavity and facial region. Four famous clinicians are recognized in this article, each for their unique contributions to "modern" local anesthesia (Carl Köller, Sigmund Freud and William Halsted) and general anesthesia (Horace Wells), with the recognition of the adverse impact of drug dependence on their personal lives, which fortunately did not preclude their positively revolutionizing the practices of dentists and physicians and their patients every since.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials, University of Texas Dental Branch-Houston, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Jeske
mesh_terms: D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000266:history*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000266:history*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000266:history* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002725:Chloroform / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology; D004986:Ether / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000266:history
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D004986:Ether; D002725:Chloroform; D003042:Cocaine