Biological Characterization, Properties, and Clinical Use of a Novel Homeopathic Antiseptic Oral Recovery Kit: A Narrative Review.

Most available antiseptic solutions have strong antibacterial effects, but many also possess major cytotoxic effects on gingival fibroblasts, osteoblasts, osteoprogenitor cells, and/or epithelial cells. A novel VEGA Oral Care Recovery Kit (StellaLife) consisting of 16 active ingredients that are monographed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS) has gained tremendous momentum as a replacement for more cytotoxic oral rinses such as chlorhexidine. While accumulating evidence has thus far supported its use, little of the gathered data have fully described the properties of the oral formulation. Therefore, the aim of the present review article was 3-fold. First, a biological characterization regarding the active ingredients found in StellaLife Recovery Kit including their biological properties was assessed in 4 predominant categories; 1) antimicrobial resistance, 2) accelerated wound healing, 3) pain management control, and 4) anti-cancer properties. The second aim of this review article was to assess both fundamental and clinical research to date comparing VEGA oral rinse (StellaLife) to the more commonly utilized CHX for differences regarding their effect on decreasing bacterial loads as well as cell viability, survival, proliferation, and expression of both regenerative cytokines and inflammatory markers. Lastly, clinical case examples are presented describing the use of StellaLife remedies in a variety of clinical situations. These include but are not limited to wisdom-tooth extraction, extraction site management, dental implants and ridge augmentation, soft-tissue grafting procedures, frenectomies, and also temporary relief of dry sockets, dry mouth, aphthous ulcers, mucositis, lichen planus, among others. In summary, findings from the present review article provide evidence from basic laboratory experiments that validate clinical studies supporting the use of the StellaLife oral rinse regarding its superior biocompatibility and wound healing properties when compared to common antiseptic solutions such as CHX.

Opioid Prescribing Can Be Reduced in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice.

PURPOSE: Pain management is one of the most critical aspects of practice in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The purpose of this study was to measure the change in strong (stronger than codeine 30 mg) opioid use after introducing the standardized protocol ("office protocol") designed for opioid-free postoperative pain management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who had surgical procedures performed at the NorthShore Center for Oral and Facial Surgery (Gurnee, IL). Data of patients who underwent qualified surgical procedures and filled prescriptions for strong opioids before and after introduction of the office protocol were analyzed. The primary predictor variable was introduction of the office protocol. The primary outcome variable was filling of a strong opioid prescription that was correlated to pain control as assessed by patients. Age and gender distributions also were analyzed. Proportions and associated 95% confidence intervals were used to compare the number of hydrocodone or oxycodone (strong) prescriptions filled by patients during a 3-year interval. RESULTS: In March 2016, the office protocol for pain management, designed to decrease opioid use, was introduced. In 2015 (before introduction of the office protocol), 2,016 adult patients (15 to 85 yr old) underwent qualified surgical procedures at the author's practice, 1,184 (59%) of whom required and filled strong opioid prescriptions. In 2017 (2 yr after introduction of the office procedure) that number decreased to 19%, whereas the number of qualified surgical procedures performed remained relatively the same between the years. Postoperative pain control was not qualitatively measured but was assumed adequate and correlated with the filling of a strong opioid prescription or requiring a refill, which would be recorded as part of total prescriptions filled. CONCLUSION: A 3-fold decrease in hydrocodone or oxycodone prescription fill was seen at the 2-year interval. As alternatives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and a homeopathic recovery kit (Vega Recovery Kit, StellaLife, Glenview, IL) were used for pain management for patients undergoing various oral surgery procedures.