Whether thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic, or chemical, dentin hypersensitivity is one of most common—and most unsuccessfully resolved—pain-related oral conditions.
While patients with generalized dentin sensitivity can often find relief with the use of desensitizing toothpastes, an isolated in-office approach may be indicated for those with localized sensitivity. Most agents used for such treatment are intended to seal the dentin surface or occlude dentinal tubules via protein precipitation or calcium complex formation, suppressing dentinal tubular fluid movement. Fluid flow reduction has been achieved with many agents that act as surface blockers or create a new smear layer, and include fluoride varnishes, dentin bonding agents, glass ionomer cements, and composite resins.
Newer anti-sensitivity agents include those formulated with arginine and an insoluble calcium carbonate, which forms crystals to block the tubules with two applications. A polishing paste containing NovaMin enables blockage of tubules for immediate sensitivity relief, making routine prophylaxis therapeutic.
I must confess, I’ve never experienced a zinger, but I’ve been reading about them lately and can state unequivocally that I never want to. Never! Undoubtedly, you’ve had some of your whitening patients tell you about experiencing sudden, intense unexpected pain. They may have described it as a “lightning bolt” or “electric shock.” For years,...
Invented by Dr. John Kanca III, the BondSaver product line has been developed to provide five significant benefits: • Desensitizes instantly • Prevents bond degradation • Disinfects with potent antimicrobial agents • Stiffens and fixes collagen • Provides fluoride at the restorative-tooth interface. For decades,...
Has it really been 10 years since KöR Whitening was launched? I remember when we in the dental media first started hearing about KöR—and its founder and whitening science expert Dr. Rod Kurthy—in press events and at dental meetings. It seemed to me then, and it still does today, that by understanding the science behind the importance of...
I confess, I just had to look up the word chelation. I’ve heard it before, but really didn’t know what it meant. I do now, and it’s what makes KöR Complete Desensitizer different. In a nutshell, rather than just clogging up open dentinal tubules, like other oxalate desensitizing products, KöR Complete reacts with and bonds to the hydroxyapatite...
Who would have thought the body’s strongest substance, hydroxyapatite (the mineral found in enamel and dentin), would be its best and gentlest defense against tooth sensitivity? Kuraray America’s approach to treating sensitivity is to create hydroxyapatite. Kuraray America’s Teethmate Desensitizer is composed of two different types of calcium...
Name: Marisol King, DDS Dental School: University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine Years in Practice: 3 Specialty: General Dentistry Practice Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Favorite Products: ZIRC’s Mr. Thirsty One-Step and Danville’s MicroPrime G Desensitizer I became a DPS evaluator because learning about new dental products is...
