Dentists and other oral healthcare providers have been having great success in fighting oral disease, including periodontitis, when a treatment plan includes a custom-medicated periodontal gel. Not all periodontal gels are the same, and compounding pharmacists are broadening the availability of this treatment, as well as its use by providing combinations of drugs that work alongside the gel itself.
What is a periodontal gel?
Simply put, a periodontal gel can be custom designed to adhere to the surfaces in the mouth so that the medicine included in the gel can do its work; whether it is an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory, or another type of medicine. A dentist can prescribe a custom gel that is administered in a tray that fits around the teeth. The tray and gel are held up against the teeth and gums for a period of time, while the medicine works.
One common form of periodontal gel is called Perio Gel. This particular gel is Hydrogen Peroxide in a gel form. Hydrogen peroxide works as a treatment for periodontitis, or inflammation of the gums. A recent study showcased by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that this type of treatment can be significantly more successful than other treatments. A compounding pharmacy in partnership with the dental team can supply additional active ingredients to make this treatment even better, broadening its scope of action for the patient.
How can Perio Gel or other periodontal gels be optimized to treat periodontitis and other oral diseases?
In addition to the Hydrogen Peroxide component, a compounding pharmacy can add medication that directly targets aspects of periodontitis including chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex) or other components that can improve the scope of the treatment such as:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibiotic(s)
- Pain management ingredients
Medications such as doxycycline, add an antibiotic to the treatment. Another medication called Cimetidine has been shown to reduce gum inflammation in periodontitis. A compounding pharmacist can create a personalized custom version of a periodontal gel with medications that address the disease process. Alternatively, the pharmacy can exclude ingredients that cannot be tolerated.
A customized solution for dental patients
The use of a periodontal gel has become a fairly standard treatment. In some situations, the gel is less effective than desired and doesn’t provide enough contact with the tissues of the mouth. When this does occur, dentists can work with a compounding pharmacist to develop a compounded gel and delivery method that is effective and tolerated well by the patient.
Health Dimensions Clinical Pharmacy has been providing pharmaceutical solutions to dentists and their patients since 1996. Health Dimensions is located in Michigan and serves states in the Great Lakes region. Health Dimensions Clinical Pharmacy was among the nation’s first compounding pharmacies to earn accreditation by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) of the Accreditation for Healthcare Commission (2006). Our mission is to partner with healthcare providers to provide service excellence, accuracy, and rapid response for improved patient outcomes. To learn more about building a partnership, call Health Dimensions Clinical Pharmacy at (800) 836-2303.
