Dental Compounding

COMPASSIONATE CARE WITHOUT ANXIETY

Compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients.  In recent years, compounding has experienced a resurgence, as many dentists and physicians are working with pharmacists to offer their patients the benefit of medicines tailored specifically for certain needs.  Due to its variety of patients, dentistry is an ideal arena for compounded medications.  From an eight-year-old getting a cavity filled to an eight-year-old being fitted for dentures, no two patients are alike in their needs.

Working closely with a compounding pharmacist, a dental practitioner can prescribe medications for procedural anxiety, pain relief, crown preparations, dry socket treatments, fluoride treatments, gum disease, plaque removal, ulcers, canker sores and even tooth whitening.

UNIQUE DOSAGE FORMS

As with many medical treatments, the therapeutic options available to dentists can be limited. Some patients just don't always respond to standard medications.  Compounding enhances the acceptability and application of medications through its ability to customize dosage forms.  Some nauseated patients who cannot swallow a pill may receive medicine transdermally through a gel rubbed into the skin.  Patients who suffer from needle anxiety may receive a topical anesthetic to allow for painless dental injection.  Other commercially unavailable dosage forms include liquids, pastes, lozenges or even lollipops.

FLAVORED MEDICATION

One obvious challenge with dental-related medication is the involvement of the taste buds - some dental rinses, solutions and gels can be less than tasteful. A compounding pharmacist can help the medicine taste better without changing its vital properties and performance.  For instance, a better analgesic can be enhanced with chocolate flavor to make it taste better. A tooth-bleaching solution would allow easier use if it tasted like peppermint cream. And children will be glad to take a topical oral anesthetic if it's delivered through a cherry-flavored lollipop.

BASIC USES

• Analgesics

• Antibiotics

• Topical anesthetics

• Sedatives

• Adhesives

• Bleaching gels

• Dry socket mixtures

• Plaque removal solutions

• Oral rinses

DOSAGE FORMS

• Troches/sublinguals

• Capsules

• Lollipops

• Gels (oral, topical)

• Mouthwashes & rinses

• Lipstick & lip balms

• Oral & topical sprays

• Popsicles