Product Evaluation

PARKELL

Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer Evaluation

Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer provides patients with fast and powerful relief from dentin hypersensitivity, with the added benefits of bioactivity and biocompatibility

It’s not often that a dentist receives a personalized thank you note from a patient, especially a note that raves about how a dental product changed that patient’s life. But that’s exactly what happened to Helen K. Lester, DDS. Due to sensitive teeth, Dr. Lester’s patient experienced grueling discomfort while eating and had tried a variety of desensitizing products for several years with minimal success.

Fortunately, Dr. Lester was introduced to Parkell’s Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer for this DPS evaluation, and the patient was excited to give this biocompatible material a try. Both doctor and patient were delighted to finally find a desensitizer that worked, and the patient subsequently wrote this appreciative note to Dr. Lester: “I want to send a note of thanks for your most recent desensitizing treatment. Over the years you have offered several treatments. This recent treatment is very, very effective. My eating experience is so comfortable now.”

After realizing that Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer truly changed her patient’s life, Dr. Lester decided, “It doesn’t get better than this!” She now offers Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer as a regular treatment for patients with dentin hypersensitivity. “To reduce or eliminate patient discomfort is a significant boost for my patients. This product delivers!”

Bioactive & Biocompatible

Engineered to treat dentin hypersensitivity, Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer’s bioactive formula releases calcium and phosphate ions, which stimulates rapid hydroxyapatite crystal formation. These crystals penetrate the tubules to form an initial plug, and, as calcium and phosphate ions continue to release, mineralization occurs to further seal the tubules. In addition to its bioactive properties, Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer is considered to be biocompatible because it is free of methacrylates and chemicals that irritate soft tissue, according to Parkell.

Application & Placement

With no mixing required, Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer is dispensed from a 3-mL syringe into a dispensing well. The gel is then picked up with an applicator brush and massaged onto the tooth with an applicator brush, allowing for precise and efficient placement with no mess. Several dentists and hygienists said the desensitizer was very easy to use and easy to apply, including Dr. Rory Sprouse, who liked the “convenient and familiar delivery system.” Appreciating that tips and brushes were included with the kit and that no curing light is needed, hygienist Cathy Hendrickson said the results were consistent, although having to apply the gel multiple times on some patients was somewhat inconvenient. While Sheldon Seidman, DDS, suggested that a brush applicator tip would make it easier to massage into the tooth, Denise M., RDH, said, “I love the applicator and the tinted solution. The ease of application makes it a simple add-on to my appointments.” Praising the “easy placement and color contrast,” Dr. David White said the gel “stayed in place fairly well.”

Desensitizing Properties

Many of the evaluating clinicians confirmed that Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer offers immediate relief from dentin hypersensitivity. “[In cases of] root hypersensitivity, immediate results were seen with easy application,” reported Chris Wenburg, DDS, FAGD. “It’s a great extra tool to treat root sensitivity.” Dr. Lester said, “This product worked almost immediately to eliminate cold sensitivity on the root surface during hygiene appointments. It’s effective in a short period of time.”

Using the desensitizer before crown placement, Dr. Seidman said, “There was less sensitivity after cementing, and I received fewer calls about sensitive teeth.” While her patients received mild to moderate relief of sensitivity, Denise M. suggested that “more relief would be great,” although her last patient “was very happy with the decreased sensitivity to my scalers after application.” Predicta Desensitizer “speeds up the process of thermal sensitivity improvement significantly,” stated Dr. Sprouse, and Pat Brune, RDH, said teeth were less sensitive during scaling, allowing some procedures to be performed without anesthetic. Calling it “the best desensitizer that I’ve come across,” Karen Dong, RDH praised its effectiveness and quick onset and said she is now able to scale with more confidence, knowing that her patients are not sensitive.

A few clinicians followed up with patients after their initial in-office application, including Hendrickson, who said, “I applied it on tooth No. 19, and 10 days later the patient had no sensitivity.” Dr. White placed the gel prior to cementing a crown, and the patient reported no sensitivity one week later.

"To reduce or eliminate patient discomfort is a significant boost for my patients."
-Helen K. Lester, DDS, FAGD, AFAAID
Eugene, OR

Overall Satisfaction

Most of the evaluators said they would recommend Predicta Bioactive Desensitizer to colleagues, with Dr. Sprouse calling it a “great option to have in my tool belt.” Stating that “all patients were very satisfied with the results,” Dong concluded, “It was excellent—beyond my expectations.”

Takeaways

• No mixing required and simple to dispense from syringe with applicator tip
• Gel is massaged onto tooth with applicator brush for precise and efficient placement with no mess
• Provides patients with fast and powerful relief from dentin hypersensitivity
• Forms a layer of mineral hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite plugs to occlude dentinal tubules
• Bioactive and biocompatible