Why is sodium bisulfite added to dental cartridges?

Sodium bisulfite is added to dental cartridges primarily to prevent the oxidation of epinephrine, which is a common vasoconstrictor used in local anesthetic formulations. Epinephrine is sensitive to oxidation, and when exposed to air or light, it can degrade, leading to a loss of efficacy. By including sodium bisulfite in the formulation, the stability and effectiveness of epinephrine are preserved over the shelf life of the anesthetic.

This preservation is crucial for maintaining the desired effects of the anesthetic, including prolonging its duration of action and reducing bleeding in the surgical area. The presence of sodium bisulfite ensures that practitioners have reliable anesthetic solutions that perform consistently during dental procedures.