Bruce Hamilton, DDS, is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, where he is an assistant professor in the general dentistry department.

Bruce Hamilton, DDS

	The most common oral pathology dentists see in their practices is ulceration of the oral mucosa. One in five Americans suffers daily from the pain of aphthous ulcers, or canker sores.

 Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) produces oral ulcerations classified as minor, major and herpetiform, depending on size and number.

 There are many predisposing factors contributing to RAS, including genetics, trauma, tobacco and drug use, vitamin deficiencies and stress.

 is a simple-to-use, highly effective treatment for oral ulcers. It’s a chemical cautery agent composed of sulfuric acid and sulfonated phenolics in an aqueous solution. Taking less than one minute to apply, it seals the ulcer by dessicating the most superficial layer and converting it into a layer of coagulum. This layer acts as a protective barrier blocking any painful irritants from contacting the ulcerated area underneath.

	DEBACTEROL comes in a single-use, cotton-tipped, prefilled swab. Dry the affected area using one end of the swabs, and then completely snap off the swab at the color ring. The DEBACTEROL will then flow into the applicator at the opposite end. Simply dry and apply to the ulcerated area for five to 10 seconds, rinse thoroughly and expectorate. 

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	Four dental professionals shared their thoughts on DEBACTEROL.

	What Anne Hill, DDS, says about DEBACTEROL:

I frequently get recurrent aphthous ulcers and have struggled to find a product that worked quickly and with little mess. I used an over-the-counter product that was hard to apply, worked for a very limited time, and needed to be reapplied multiple times during the day. I read online about a new product called DEBACTEROL and ordered some that day. The next time I had an ulcer, I was eager to try it out, and after one application, the pain was gone and never returned. My sister suffers from ulcers five to 10 times per year and after sending some to her, she was sold on the product after the first use. There aren’t many products that are truly life-changing for people who suffer from recurrent ulcers, but this product is one. The single-use applicators make it easy to carry, easy to apply and easdy to dispose of.

	What Bruce Hamilton, DDS, says about DEBACTEROL:

	Aphthous ulcers, or canker sores, are painful and can be debilitating. These ulcers are so painful that patients don’t mind the slight stinging that accompanies DEBACTEROL’S use. I like the fact that the DEBACTEROL delivery system is unit-dosed for infection control. I like the fact that it’s patient-friendly. I also like the fact that it’s less expensive than other treatments for aphthous ulcers.

	What Danita Adams, RDH, says about DEBACTEROL:

	I’m a dental hygienist, and treating a child with an aphthous ulcer is difficult. The ulcers make the patient uncomfortable and resistant to treatment. Aphthous ulcers make food and fluid intake problematic and could result in dehydration. Orthodontic appliances, cheek biting, or spicy/acidic foods can trigger these ulcers. There’s no cure for aphthous ulcers, but DEBACTEROL relieves the immediate pain. This early intervention allows treatment to continue, and it allows the child to maintain nutrition and fluid intake.

	What Pamela Albin, RDH, says about DEBACTEROL:

	Recurrent aphthous ulcers are one of the more painful oral lesions people face, occurring in all ages.  Due to tissue movement as we eat, drink and talk, the affected area is in constant pain. As a dental hygienist, I was often asked for product suggestions but never had a good recommendation until I discovered DEBACTEROL. As one who has suffered from mouth ulcers, I’ve always been looking for a good product, and now I’ve found one. DEBACTEROL is easy to use with minimal discomfort.  Application is simple with the one-time-use, disposable swab. Relief is quick with lasting results, and there’s no need for reapplication throughout the day. I’ve found DEBACTORAL to be an excellent treatment to help heal and bring relief from the constant pain of mouth ulcers.

	1. S.O. Akintoye et al., Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Dent. Clin. N. Am. 49(2005): 31-47.
	2. Greenberg MS, Glick M. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc; 2003. Burket's Oral Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment; pp. 51–68.
	3. Preeti L, Magesh K, Rajkumar K, Karthik R. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2011; 15(3):252–256. doi:10.4103/0973-029X.86669.
	 

Articles

Why four dental professionals recommend DEBACTEROL.

How to treat recurrent aphthous ulcers

	DryShield is an innovative device that simplifies most aspects of dentistry.

	DryShield is autoclavable and easily installed. It provides the retraction, suction, and isolation required for most dental procedures. Bite blocks add to patient comfort and visibility. Made of a flexible silicone material, it comes in four sizes that contour comfortably within seconds to accommodate all dentitions. 

	Here are some observations on the use of the DryShield Isolation System:

	• The developmentally disadvantaged dental patient offers many challenges, most of which may be exacerbated by the patient’s inability to fully cooperate with dental health care personnel. The DryShield Isolation System makes treatment easier for both the patient and provider. The system reduces the need for cooperation by gently holding the mouth open and providing a stable work area. The system protects soft tissue against sudden, rapid movements by the patient. DryShield suctions and retracts, allowing the dental assistant to focus more on the patient and expedite treatment. The dry field afforded by the system provides for faster and better dentistry. The disadvantaged patient might need additional instruction, guidance and encouragement when using the DryShield. The additional time and effort spent introducing the appliance will be amply rewarded.

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	• The pediatric patient needs to be treated gently and quickly, with as little trauma as possible. The DryShield helps reduce appointment times by as much as 30 percent when placing dental sealants, and allows for two quadrants to be treated simultaneously. The bite block keeps the patient open, the suction keeps the area dry, and the retraction allows for optimal visibility. The hygienist is able to place the sealants quickly and efficiently without the need for an assistant.

	• When placing composite restorations, maintaining a dry, clean field is paramount to long term success. We found the DryShield’s performance in operative procedures very beneficial. It relieves the assistant of the tasks of retraction and suctioning, and enables the assistant to support the dentist more efficiently. It is more comfortable, less threatening and harder to accidentally dislodge than a standard dental dam. 

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	• During quadrant scaling, visibility, access and fatigue are a few of the problems that dental hygienists face. The DryShield solves these problems, allowing the dental hygienist increased visibility and access because of the retraction and clearance offered by the use of the DryShield. Quadrant scaling is completed faster and more efficiently, decreasing both fatigue for the operator and patient. With better visibility, the dental hygienist can better see remaining calculus as the tissue is displaced with air. This ultimately results in healthier tissue and faster healing for the patient.

	Overall, we found the DryShield to be a promising addition to the dental armamentarium. DryShield is fully autoclavable, making it cost effective. In addition, time and money are saved by freeing up the dental assistant’s duties and making procedures more efficient.

Three clinicians explain how DryShield helps save their practice time and money.