Topical drug delivery: An essential aid in the management of oral diseases

Abstract

Topical medications play an important role in the management of oral lesions. Various topical medications ranging from topical anesthetics to topical antineoplastics have been widely used in dentistry. Topical medications have been extensively used as the first line of therapy in many conditions such as vesiculobullous diseases, oral infections like candidiasis, herpes simplex, potentially malignant disorders, neuropathic pain, and oral mucositis. Topical drug therapy provides targeted and a more efficient drug delivery options for the local oral lesions as compared to systemic therapy. While accessibility, lower systemic side effects, and many other advantages are associated with the usage of topical oral medications, several challenges are also faced such as taste alterations, poor penetration, and limited surface area. The objective of this review is to provide insight into the mechanism of topical drug delivery, summary of various topical medications used in oral lesions, advantages and disadvantages, characteristic of oral mucosa and various challenges faced in delivering topical medications.

Current status and future of delivery systems for prevention and treatment of infections in the oral cavity

“…Topical drugs have been extensively used as the first line of therapy in many conditions related to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. A large number of clinical studies have established the clinical efficacy of topical antimicrobials and antivirals which provides targeted drug delivery options for the treatment of local oral lesions (see Tables 1, 2, and 3) [38]. In general, when compared to systemic delivery, topical drug delivery has a number of advantages such as the ability to deliver drug more selectively to a specific site at higher concentrations, lowering risk of systemic adverse events, and avoiding fluctuations in drug levels, inter-and intra-patient variations, and suitability for self-medication, hence improved patient compliance.…”

Current status and future of delivery systems for prevention and treatment of infections in the oral cavity

“…Topical drugs have been extensively used as the rst line of therapy in many conditions related to viral, bacterial and fungal infections. A large number of clinical studies have established the clinical e cacy of topical antimicrobials and antivirals which provides targeted drug delivery options for the treatment of local oral lesions (see Tables 1-3) [38]. In general, when compared to systemic delivery, topical drug delivery has a number of advantages such as the ability to deliver drug more selectively to a speci c site at higher concentrations, lowering risk of systemic adverse events, avoiding uctuations in drug levels, inter-and intra-patient variations, and suitability for selfmedication, hence improved patient compliance.…”

An Overview of Exclusive Pharmacotherapeutical Agents and Aids Used in Dental Field

“…Volume 2 Issue 1 (Page: 5-13), 2020 ISSN: 2582-0826 [14] Other oral topical drugs include topical application of antibiotics, antivirals, neuropathics, immunomodulators, chemopreventive agents and counter irritants. Commercially available oral topical antifungals are Candid, Nuforce mouth paint etc.…”