Customized Medication Solutions for Dentists, Periodontists, Oral Surgeons and their Patients
No two mouths are alike, and no two patients experience or tolerate the same amount of pain during or after dental work. A variety of solutions are available that fall outside the realm of products produced by major drug companies, but can easily be created through compounding. Formulated in our state-of-the-art compounding lab in Tampa, Florida, our tailored solutions help dentists, periodontists, oral surgeons and their patients solve specific medication problems. We work with dental professionals in creating customized solutions to meet the unique needs of unique patients.
Particularly prevalent with dental medications, stability concerns and the cost of stocking and distributing the numerous formulations of each drug, medications are often manufactured in limited numbers of strengths and dosage forms. These limited varieties are designed and chosen to meet the needs of most patients, but not all.
Using pharmaceutical grade chemicals and specialized equipment not found in most pharmacies, at Davis Islands Pharmacy we compound medications in doses and forms that are not commercially available, but may be most appropriate for many patients. In this way, we’re able to optimize the care of every patient – regardless of their unique needs and circumstances.
There is an ever increasing number of agents available to help patients with oral and perioral pain problems. Such problems include neuropathies, neuromas, neuralgias and more. In increasing numbers, dentists are utilizing topical agents as part of the therapeutic protocol for painful orofacial neuropathy. Often not mass produced by drug companies, medication vehicles and bases have been developed that are capable of penetrating the mucosa and cutaneous tissues, transporting the active medication efficiently to the site of treatment.
In the dental world, topical medications offer a distinct advantage over broader, systemic administration for orofacial disorders due to their rapid onset and low side-effect profile. Topical intraoral medications used in the treatment of oral ulcerations and infections include certain antifungals, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids. Compounded formulations of these drugs offer distinct advantages. Medicated lollipops, lozenges, and adhering powders can be more effective by increasing contact time with the mucosa.
One of the most frequently heard complaints as a result of radiation therapy of the head and neck is loss of saliva, also known medically as xerostomia. With loss of saliva can also come radiation-induced periodontal infection, dental caries, osteoradionecrosis, and poor digestion of carbohydrates. In our state-of-the-art compounding lab, Davis Islands Pharmacy creates sialogogues, or saliva stimulants, in customized dosage forms to help prevent or treat such problems.
Furthermore, when patients are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, they can also experience interference with their ability to eat due to mouth tenderness and infections. These interferences can unfortunately result in malnutrition among such patients; a side-effect that is oftentimes preventable. At Davis Islands Pharmacy, we compound medications which frequently enable patients to enjoy eating again.
Dental procedures are frequently interrupted by a patient’s gag reflexes, leading to interference in the procedure and severe discomfort among patients. We compound a tablet patients can take just a few minutes before the procedure that is administered and retained intraorally and suppresses the gag reflex. These electrolyte tablets allow a mandibular block to be given with significantly greater ease, further reducing the patient’s gag reflex and making the procedure go much more smoothly.
Oftentimes patients have trouble maintaining oral hygiene due to their gag reflexes. With the prescription of the dentist, we can compound tablets for home use to help patients properly perform the procedures recommended by medical professionals. In the case of severe gaggers, patients may need to repeat a dose every 15 or 20 minutes, depending on the procedure. Aside from tablets, we can also compound the medication in the form of electrolyte lollipops, which is often preferred by patients and dentists.
Vomiting can significantly impede smooth dental procedures. Many oral surgeons have found topical application of anti-emetics to be particularly useful. We compound anti-emetics for dental surgeons in a gel formulation, providing rapid onset and offering an effective alternative to the traditional oral administration.
There are many ways compounded solutions help patients suffering from TMJ and jaw problems. When administered topically, NSAIDs like ketoprofen often result in much higher tissue levels beneath the application site when compared with oral administration. What’s more, patients experience fewer side effects such as gastrointestinal irritation.
In patients with temporo-mandibular disorders with concurrent temporo-mandibular joint capsulitis and disc displacement without reduction, iontophoretic delivery of dexamethsone and lidocaine have been shown effective at improving mandibular function.
There are numerous ways compounded solutions help patients and periodontists with periodontal therapy. With compounding, a limitless number of active ingredients can be incorporated into mouthwashes, gels, troches, lollipops and more. As one example, we can compound antibiotics as a mouthwash, or added to an oral adhesive paste or plasticized gel for the treatment of periodontal disease. Using these formulations, the medication maintains contact with the tissue for a longer period of time, increasing its effectiveness.
Not all mouths are alike, but there’s only a limited variety of mouthwashes available on the shelves over-the-counter. There are many reasons why compounded dental mouthwashes or rinses provide advantages over commercially available dosage forms. Customized solutions can eliminate concerns like palatability; they can limit the alcohol content, and be made without dyes that can stain exposed mucosa.
We can also compound various preparations to treat burning mouth syndrome, along with anesthetic/analgesic and antibiotic/anti-infective mouthwashes.
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