We work together
with dentists and their patients to solve problems
using customized medications.
Upon a prescription order, we
can compound:
- lip
balms for viral lesions
- topical muscle
relaxants/analgesics
- topical anesthetics
- non-staining
antibacterial rinses
- oral sedation
in lollipops and freezer pops
- lollipops
for oral thrush
- mouth rinses
for aphthous ulcers or chemotherapy-induced
stomatitis
- mouth rinse
to stop oral bleeding during dental procedures
for patients who take anticoagulants
- dry socket
preparations
- "mucosal
bandages" to cover ulcerated, infected,
or tender mucosa
- lozenges that
help to prevent gagging
- and many
more unique preparations and novel delivery
systems
Medications are manufactured
in a limited number of strengths and dosage forms
that will satisfy the needs of most patients due
to stability concerns, and the cost of stocking
and distributing numerous formulations of each
drug. Using pharmaceutical grade chemicals and
specialized equipment not found in most pharmacies,
we can compound medications in doses and dosage
forms that are not commercially available. We
want to optimize the care of every patient. Just
let us know what you need!
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Click Below to Expand Topics
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Here are some of our compounded products that are popular for use in the office by dentists and dental hygienists.

Profound is an topical anesthetic gel made from a powerful combination of tetracaine, lidocaine, and prilocaine. It allows for gingival recontouring and other soft tissue procedures with little or no need for local anesthesia. If a patient were to be given local anesthesia via injection, the patient would experience no burn or sting. With Profound, you can nearly eliminate the need for lower blocks, which are not patient-friendly, and achieve instant pulpal anesthesia without any tongue or cheek numbness. We also compound Profound Light, which is half the strength and provides good anesthesia for deep cleanings and other work the dental hygienist might do but has less risk of sloughing. It is dispensed in 30g and 45g tubes.

Profpet is similar to Profound, but contains thickener and 2% phenylephrine to prevent bleeding. It is dispensed in 30g and 45g tubes.

Depblu is similar to Profound, but contains sweetener, thickener, and 2% phenylephrine to prevent bleeding. It is dispensed in 30g and 45g tubes.

Cyclone is a topical anesthetic in the form of a rinse that patients can swish around for one minute to anesthetize gingival and palatal tissues. It is fantastic for hygiene patients who needs some anesthesia but don't want local infiltrations or blocks. It also works well for needle-phobic, sensitive hygiene patients, and for patients who gag during impressions. It is dispensed in 480mL and 960mL bottles.
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The options to help patients with oral and perioral pain problems such as neuropathies, burning mouth syndrome, neuromas and neuralgias. Vehicle-carrier agents and bases have been developed that can penetrate the mucosa and cutaneous tissues and transport the active medication to the treatment site. Dentists have been using topical agents with increasing frequency as part of the therapeutic protocol for orofacial painful neuropathy.
Several topical intraoral medications are used in the treatment of oral ulcerations and infections, including antifungals; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); and corticosteroids. Because of their rapid onset and low side-effect profile, topical medications offer a distinct advantage over systemic administration for orofacial disorders. Medicated lollipops, lozenges, and adhering powders are ideal for keeping an antibiotic or antifungal in contact with an infected area in the mouth.
Topical Anesthetics—Combinations of your Choice
Methemoglobinemia (MHb) is a potentially serious blood condition and an uncommon adverse reaction known to be associated with benzocaine. This condition reduces the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body, which can lead to bluish discoloration of the skin, nausea and fatigue. It can progress to stupor, coma and death. Almost all reported cases of benzocaine-induced MHb were associated with high-concentration preparations (14 percent to 20 percent benzocaine). Compounding pharmacies can formulate low concentration or benzocaine-free topical anesthetics, including combinations of other topical anesthetics such as lidocaine and tetracaine or prilocaine.
Update on Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), also referred to as glossopyrosis or glossodynia (when the burning occurs on the tongue only) is usually described as oral burning pain, sometimes with dysesthetic qualities similar to those present in other neuropathic pain conditions. The dorsal tongue, palate, lips and gingival tissues, individually or in combination, are the most common sites involved. Bilateral or unilateral oral burning pain has been found to be associated with jaw pain or uncontrollable tightness, taste changes, subjective dry mouth, geographic and fissured tongue, painful teeth, headache, neck and shoulder pain, difficulty speaking, nausea, gagging and swallowing difficulties. BMS has been reported to follow dental treatment, antibiotic usage and a severe upper respiratory infection. The lack of pathology to account for the pain can be frustrating. Pain is constant, progressively increases over the day, and usually decreases during eating. Patients, who are frequently distressed by their unremitting symptoms, may demonstrate psychological abnormalities including anxiety and depression.
Therapy for BMS involves the use of centrally acting medications for neuropathic pain, such as tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines or gabapentin. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine used either topically or in low doses orally, which appears to have excellent efficacy in the relief of the symptoms related to BMS. Topical medications, including clonidine, may be considered for application to local sites.
A combination of oral medications for the management of BMS (clonazepam, gabapentin, baclofen, and lamotrigine) significantly decreased pain in 38 or 45 patients. The most common adverse effect reported with the medication protocol was drowsiness followed by dizziness and perceived changes in mood. These results suggest that BMS may be treated with lower doses of a combination of medications rather than higher doses of a single medication, which may help to limit adverse effects such as drowsiness or dizziness.
Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 2006, 63:278–287
The formulation for a mouthrinse containing clonazepam 1 mg per 5 ml has been reported. It is hypothesised that clonazepam acts locally to disrupt the mechanism(s) underlying stomatodynia. Topical formulations of gabapentin, ketamine, clonidine, and baclofen have been used to treat chronic neuropathic pain at various bodily sites.
Int J of Pharmaceutical Compounding July/Aug 2005, 9(4):310 Pain 2004 Mar;108(1-2):51-7 (click for abstract) Pain Med. 2000 Mar;1(1):97-100
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Treatment for Dry
Mouth, Stomatitis, and Mucositis
Loss of saliva (xerostomia)
is one of the most common complaints among patients
who have received radiation therapy of the head
and neck. Xerostomia contributes to radiation-induced
periodontal infection, dental caries, osteoradionecrosis,
and poor digestion of carbohydrates. Ask us about
sialogogues (saliva stimulants) in customized
dosage forms.
Aust Dent J 2002 Sep;47(3):249-53
An investigation into the use of pilocarpine
as a sialagogue in patients with radiation induced
xerostomia.
Frydrych AM, Davies
GR, Slack-Smith LM, Heywood J.
School of Dentistry, The University of Western
Australia, Crawley.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.
When a person is receiving chemotherapy
or radiation, mouth tenderness and infections
can interfere with the ability to eat. Malnutrition
may result, yet it is often preventable. Our pharmacy
can compound medications which may enable patients
to enjoy eating again. We can compound numerous
medications into a preparation such as an oral
rinse that contains the needed concentrations
of each drug.
A three-drug mouthwash (lidocaine,
diphenhydramine and sodium bicarbonate in normal
saline) can provide effective symptomatic relief
in patients with chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
Support Care Cancer.
2000 Jan;8(1):55-8
Efficacy of treatment to relieve mucositis-induced
discomfort.
Turhal NS, Erdal S, Karacay
S.
Department of Medicine, Marmara University Hospital,
Istanbul, Turkey.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.
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Transdermal application of
NSAIDs such as ketoprofen results in significantly
higher tissue levels beneath the site of application
than are achieved with oral administration. Additionally,
side effects such as gastrointestinal irritation
are avoided.
The following article concludes: "Topical
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective
in relieving pain in acute and chronic conditions."
BMJ. 1998 Jan 31;316(7128):333-8
Quantitative systematic review of topically
applied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Moore RA, Tramer MR, Carroll D, Wiffen PJ, McQuay
HJ.
University of Oxford, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital,
Headington.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this
article.
Free full text article available at bmj.com: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/316/7128/333
The following article reports "The systemic
concentrations of ketoprofen have also been found
to be 100 fold lower compared to tissue concentrations
below the application... Topically applied ketoprofen
thus provides high local concentration below the
site of application but lower systemic exposure."
Pharm Res. 1996 Jan;13(1):168-72
Percutaneous absorption of ketoprofen
from different anatomical sites in man.
Shah AK, Wei G, Lanman RC, Bhargava VO, Weir
SJ.
Pfizer Inc., Central Research Division, Groton,
Connecticut 06340, USA.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this
article.
Iontophoretic delivery of dexamethasone and lidocaine
may be effective in improving mandibular function
in patients with temporo-mandibular disorders
who have concurrent temporo-mandibular joint capsulitis
and disc displacement without reduction.
J Orofac Pain 1996 Spring;10(2):157-65
Temporomandibular joint iontophoresis:
a double-blind randomized clinical trial.
Schiffman EL, Braun BL, Lindgren BR.
TMJ and Craniofacial Pain Clinic, School of Dentistry
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this
article.
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The gag reflex
can cause a patient considerable discomfort as
well as interfere with dental procedures. An electrolyte
tablet administered and retained intraorally a
few minutes before the start of a procedure can
suppress the gag reflex, allowing a mandibular
block to be given with much greater ease, which
further reduces the gagging reflex.
Tablets can be prescribed for home use for patients
who can not properly perform oral hygiene procedures
due to the gagging problem. Severe gaggers may
need to repeat a dose in 15 to 20 minutes. (Dent
Today. 1991 Dec;10(9):68-71)
Some patients and dentists prefer to use electrolyte
lollipops.
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Topical application of anti-emetics
in a gel formulation provides a rapid onset and
offers an effective alternative to oral administration.
Oral surgeons have found this formulation to be
particularly useful.
Promethazine is commonly compounded for topical
or transdermal application to treat nausea, vomiting,
and vertigo, but this preparation may be used
as an antiemetic for cases ranging from chemotherapy
to motion sickness. The dose is typically 25mg
for adults, and the dose is decreased for children.
The gel is applied to an area of soft skin, such
as the inside of the wrist or arm, the side of
the torso, or the inside of the thigh. For children,
the gel is often applied to the inside of one
wrist, and then the wrists are rubbed together.
US Pharmacist, August 1999; 74-5
Other dosage forms include suppositories and
lollipops.
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Compounding allows countless active ingredients to be incorporated into customized mouthwashes, gels, troches, etc. For example, to treat periodontal disease, antibiotics can be formulated as a mouthwash, or added to an oral adhesive paste or a plasticized gel that will maintain the contact between the tissue and medication for a prolonged period of time.
Metronidazole 25% in a lipogel-type base provides an efficient treatment of anaerobic infection when applied topically in the periodontal pockets.
Click on the following citations for abstracts/more information: J Int Acad Periodontol. 2000 Jul;2(3):64-70 Vojnosanit Pregl. 2005 Jul-Aug;62(7-8):565-8 Minerva Stomatol. 2000 Jan-Feb;49(1-2):59-67 J Clin Periodontol. 1992 Oct;19(9 Pt 2):693-7
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Compounding
dental mouthwashes or rinses may offer numerous
advantages over commercially available dosage
forms. Elixirs, syrups, and suspensions often
contain preservatives such as alcohol which can
cause reactions or gastrointestinal irritation,
or sugar which makes the preparation undesirable
for prolonged use in the mouth or for diabetic
patients. A customized preparation without unnecessary
excipients - i.e., a sugar-free, dye-free, lactose-free,
and preservative-free dosage form - can eliminate
concerns of palatability, alcohol content, and
dyes which may stain exposed mucosa.
Various preparations are also available to treat
burning mouth syndrome and anesthetic/analgesic
and antibiotic/anti-infective mouthwashes are
commonly requested.
Tranexamic acid solution (4.8%) used as a mouthwash
has been used successfully to prevent postsurgical
bleeding after oral surgery without dose modification
of oral anticoagulants.
J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1993 Nov;51(11):1211-6
Prevention of postsurgical bleeding in
oral surgery using tranexamic acid without dose
modification of oral anticoagulants.
Ramstrom G, Sindet-Pedersen S, Hall G,
Blomback M, Alander U
Department of Oral and Jaw Diseases, Karolinska
Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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We are dedicated to meeting
the unique needs of dental patients, and we welcome
your questions and medication problems. Our compounding
professionals are problem-solving specialists!
Examples of Customized Medications for Dental
Care
- Anti-Viral Lip Balms
- Ketamine/Ketoprofen/Gabapentin gel
- Ketoprofen/Cyclobenzaprine topical gel
- Lidocaine/Prilocaine gel in plasticized base
Mucosal Bandages
- Oxytetracycline/Hydrocortisone Suspension
- Peruvian Balsam/Eugenol
- Sucralfate Oral Adhesive Paste
- Tranexamic Acid Mouthwash
- Triple-Anesthetic gel - benzocaine/lidocaine/tetracaine
("BLT")
All formulations are customized per prescription
to meet the unique needs of each patient. Please
contact our compounding pharmacist to discuss
the dosage form, strength, and medication or combination
that is most appropriate for your patient.
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