Development of Denticap, a matrix based sustained release formulation for treatment of toothache, dental infection and other gum problem.

Toothache is a serious problem worldwide. To give relief from this intolerable toothache, doctors prescribe painkillers along with antibiotics. Most of the painkillers, if not all, produce hyperacidity and gastric irritation upon oral administration. Oral antibiotics have slow onset of action and undergo hepatic "first-pass" effect. Moreover, available dental formulations are mostly liquid and last only few hours upon application, before being washed out by saliva. To overcome the above-mentioned problems, a soft polymeric mold containing antibiotic and analgesic drugs and having an appropriate consistency to adhere to the tooth, was developed for sustained drug release to provide better relief in dental patients. Eudragit L 100-55, carbopol 971 P, gum karaya powder and ethyl cellulose were used to prepare the mold "Denticaps" containing Lidocaine hydrochloride and Amoxicillin trihydrate individually and in combination, by mixing and solvent evaporation technique. Different physicochemical characterization studies such as mucoadhesion test, water absorption capacity and swelling index were carried out. In vitro drug release studies showed sustained release of Lidocaine hydrochloride and Amoxicillin trihydrate in simulated saliva for 24 h. Further studies are warranted to succeed with these formulations in humans. Upon success, this type of dosage form may open up new avenues towards dentistry.