Aseptic Alternative

One of the most ignored parts of dental treatment is the aseptic field of the area we are working on. We might deal with the infection control of our dental instruments, disinfects our equipments and be conscious of the cleanliness of our clinical surroundings but, unfortunately, most often than not we missed out in making the actual area, meaning the tooth itself we are working on, be aseptic as possible, And, we all know that the best way to achieve that is by the use of rubber dam but, we all know as well that 99.99% we, as dentists, hate to use it especially if we think we can get away with it. So, what now?

Here’s my take, unless you are doing endodontic treatment, wherein the use of rubber dam is not only necessary but critical, a simple solution is right here in our fingertips. CHLORHEXIDINE!!!

Chlorhexidine is one of the best anti-bacterial solutions out there for our taking; all you have to do is use it properly. This solution is available in different concentrations and for different use. Meaning having Chlorhexidine in the solution doesn’t mean you can use it automatically in our dental procedures. For it to be effective it has to have a high level of concentration of at least 2%, and there shouldn’t be substances that are combined into it that act as surfactants and emollients which can form a thin layer of barrier to our tooth surface and hinder the effectivity of the material we use for final restoration in the end. In other words, the Chlorhexidine you should use are made precisely for Restorative, Endodontic, Prosthodontic, Periodontic and Preventive Dentistry.

Indeed, Consepsis can provide you all that and more. Some may accuse of being bias on my part but it truly has nothing to do with it. It just simply works, and other dentists who tried it can attest to that. On my part, I can’t just do without it in any of my treatments. What’s even great it is available in all consistencies that can provide you an aseptic alternative and treatment for your particular need.

Paste Form: For my Whitening, where I need a microabrasive paste that will not cause too much enamel abrasion that raises the level of tooth sensitivity during or post whitening treatment. For my indirect restorations, where I can easily remove temporary cements in a jiffy from my tooth/teeth prior to cementation of my permanent restorations. For my Oral Prophylaxis, that can act as a prophylactic paste that can truly clean and disinfect.

Liquid/Gel Form: For my direct restoration, that acts as my disinfectant at any given part of my procedure when blood, sulcular fluid and moisture contamination occurs. Which, by the way, also increases my bonding strength, minimizes or totally eliminates post-op sensitivity and even treatment failure due to bacterial proliferation after restoration. For my endodontic procedures like Pulpectomy, that can even eliminate the most difficult microorganism to kill, like “Enterococcus Faecalis”. In Pulpotomy that best serve to remove unwanted debris and render the area bacterial-free plus the best solution in combination with resin-based calcium hydroxide (e.g. UltraBlend) during accidental or minimal pulpal exposure. Moreover, recent studies show that it is also best for preventive dentistry especially for fluoride alternative for children below 6 and those with fluorosis. Same for Periodontal procedures wherein a gel form Chlorhexidine is necessary.

All of these wonderful benefits and more for just choosing the right concentration and intent of use when you buy a Chlorhexidine-containing solution. You may believe me or not especially in an understandably price-driven society we live in. But, here’s the thing if you are a believer that anything worth doing is worth doing well, then, what do you think should be the value of the product that can deliver that?