MEDICOM
Duraflor Ultra
Smooth and effortless to apply, the advanced formula quickly releases fluoride to combat tooth hypersensitivity
When treating patients with tooth sensitivity, it’s sometimes difficult to get a patient to agree to treatment with fluoride varnish, often because of a previously unpleasant experience or a reluctance to spend the money. Brenda Alberts, RDH, recently had a patient who was going to decline fluoride treatment because of his discomfort during a previous visit. After explaining the advantages of Duraflor Ultra 5% sodium fluoride white varnish, a product she was testing for DPS, Alberts was able to convince this patient to try it. “He was pleasantly surprised,” she said, explaining that Duraflor Ultra was smooth and not gritty. “Fluoride is easier to sell to the patient when it is pleasant tasting, and not thick and clumpy,” Alberts added.
When applied to enamel and dentin for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth, the advanced formula of Medicom’s Duraflor Ultra quickly releases fluoride within 2-4 hours, so patients get the maximum fluoride benefit while the varnish is still on their teeth, according to the manufacturer.
Malee Wong, who was among a group of hygienists to use the product in their practices for 4 weeks as part of this DPS evaluation, found that Duraflor Ultra offered solutions for many problems, not just hypersensitivity. “It prevents decay, strengthens teeth, combats sensitivity, remineralizes weak areas, and fights bacteria,” she explained.
Packaging and Unit Dose
Individually packaged in 0.4-mL unit doses, the Duraflor Ultra varnish packets are very easy to open, according to Chris Daigle, who said, “The ease of use made chairside [treatment] simple.” Ann Cuhaj, who suggested that the packaging could be more clearly marked so they know which side to open, determined that Duraflor Ultra “delivers an easy approach to reducing teeth sensitivity in a very quick and easy manner.” Stacey Abbatessa would like to see a little more varnish in each unit dose, while Susan Afeltra said, “[There is] just the right amount of product in the packaging.” Sherry Morrissey agreed that there was “plenty of varnish to cover upper and lower arches.”
Ease of Application and Consistency
Formulated for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth, Duraflor Ultra easily brushes onto enamel and dentin with a smooth consistency. It adheres to the tooth without being ingested by the patient and dries to a natural tooth color. According to Afeltra, “Some varnishes are too tacky and don’t go on easily,” but she found this product to have a creamy texture that improves application. Lynn Southerland pointed out that the varnish flowed easily, and Peggy Spencer said the application process was quick, making it fast and easy to treat hypersensitivity.
Commenting that the varnish didn’t feel chunky on her patients’ teeth, Lydia Pope said she would recommend this product to colleagues because “it was easy to apply and it went on smoothly.” Morrissey was impressed that “there was no clumping on the brush.” Nancy Shepard shared, “Compared to other varnishes, this was superior in consistency, dosage, and ease of use.” Cuhaj said her patients were comfortable with the application process and didn’t mind the flavor or texture of the varnish.
When applied to enamel and dentin for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth, the advanced formula of Medicom’s Duraflor Ultra quickly releases fluoride within 2-4 hours, so patients get the maximum fluoride benefit while the varnish is still on their teeth, according to the manufacturer.
Malee Wong, who was among a group of hygienists to use the product in their practices for 4 weeks as part of this DPS evaluation, found that Duraflor Ultra offered solutions for many problems, not just hypersensitivity. “It prevents decay, strengthens teeth, combats sensitivity, remineralizes weak areas, and fights bacteria,” she explained.
Packaging and Unit Dose
Individually packaged in 0.4-mL unit doses, the Duraflor Ultra varnish packets are very easy to open, according to Chris Daigle, who said, “The ease of use made chairside [treatment] simple.” Ann Cuhaj, who suggested that the packaging could be more clearly marked so they know which side to open, determined that Duraflor Ultra “delivers an easy approach to reducing teeth sensitivity in a very quick and easy manner.” Stacey Abbatessa would like to see a little more varnish in each unit dose, while Susan Afeltra said, “[There is] just the right amount of product in the packaging.” Sherry Morrissey agreed that there was “plenty of varnish to cover upper and lower arches.”
Ease of Application and Consistency
Formulated for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth, Duraflor Ultra easily brushes onto enamel and dentin with a smooth consistency. It adheres to the tooth without being ingested by the patient and dries to a natural tooth color. According to Afeltra, “Some varnishes are too tacky and don’t go on easily,” but she found this product to have a creamy texture that improves application. Lynn Southerland pointed out that the varnish flowed easily, and Peggy Spencer said the application process was quick, making it fast and easy to treat hypersensitivity.
Commenting that the varnish didn’t feel chunky on her patients’ teeth, Lydia Pope said she would recommend this product to colleagues because “it was easy to apply and it went on smoothly.” Morrissey was impressed that “there was no clumping on the brush.” Nancy Shepard shared, “Compared to other varnishes, this was superior in consistency, dosage, and ease of use.” Cuhaj said her patients were comfortable with the application process and didn’t mind the flavor or texture of the varnish.
Taste/Flavor & Esthetics
Sweetened with xylitol, Duraflor Ultra is available in 3 flavors—strawberry, mint, and caramel. Abbatessa said her patients liked the flavors better than other fluoride varnishes, especially the mint and strawberry. Pope said most patients liked the flavors and many preferred the mint, while some thought the caramel and strawberry flavors were too sweet. “I thought the mint flavor was exceptionally good, the best I have tasted in fluoride,” shared Susan Jones, adding that the caramel tasted a little bitter. While some of Spencer’s patients noticed an unpleasant aftertaste, Morrissey said, “The taste and smell was pleasant. Kids love the caramel flavor. It’s like a dessert to them.” Wong concluded, “If patients enjoy the fluoride flavor, it makes their overall experience more positive and they may be more likely to request fluoride treatments, even when it is an additional out-of-pocket cost.”
After application, the Duraflor Ultra varnish dries to a natural tooth color for improved esthetics and better patient compliance. “It was virtually invisible after application,” noted Sander, and Cuhaj said the white color was appealing. Spencer liked the “nice flow and no color change on teeth,” and Morrissey called it “a nice clear color.”
Overall Satisfaction
“Any time you can offer quick, easy pain relief that doesn’t require a lot of time or thought is a win-win,” Cuhaj pointed out, adding, “This product delivered on that count!” Afeltra said she would recommend Duraflor Ultra because of its “good texture, color, ease of application, and good taste.” Alberts concluded, “It is better than I thought it would be; it is one of the best [varnishes] I have used.” After experiencing the material’s easy application and receiving positive feedback from patients, Abbatessa said it was an easy decision for her practice to switch their varnish to Duraflor Ultra in the future. “This product encompasses all that we were looking for. I would highly recommend this varnish.”
Sweetened with xylitol, Duraflor Ultra is available in 3 flavors—strawberry, mint, and caramel. Abbatessa said her patients liked the flavors better than other fluoride varnishes, especially the mint and strawberry. Pope said most patients liked the flavors and many preferred the mint, while some thought the caramel and strawberry flavors were too sweet. “I thought the mint flavor was exceptionally good, the best I have tasted in fluoride,” shared Susan Jones, adding that the caramel tasted a little bitter. While some of Spencer’s patients noticed an unpleasant aftertaste, Morrissey said, “The taste and smell was pleasant. Kids love the caramel flavor. It’s like a dessert to them.” Wong concluded, “If patients enjoy the fluoride flavor, it makes their overall experience more positive and they may be more likely to request fluoride treatments, even when it is an additional out-of-pocket cost.”
After application, the Duraflor Ultra varnish dries to a natural tooth color for improved esthetics and better patient compliance. “It was virtually invisible after application,” noted Sander, and Cuhaj said the white color was appealing. Spencer liked the “nice flow and no color change on teeth,” and Morrissey called it “a nice clear color.”
“IT IS ONE OF THE BEST [VARNISHES] I HAVE USED BECAUSE OF PATIENT APPROVAL AND THE PLEASANT FEEL ON THE TEETH AFTER APPLICATION.”
Brenda Alberts, RDH; Fremont, WI
Brenda Alberts, RDH; Fremont, WI
“Any time you can offer quick, easy pain relief that doesn’t require a lot of time or thought is a win-win,” Cuhaj pointed out, adding, “This product delivered on that count!” Afeltra said she would recommend Duraflor Ultra because of its “good texture, color, ease of application, and good taste.” Alberts concluded, “It is better than I thought it would be; it is one of the best [varnishes] I have used.” After experiencing the material’s easy application and receiving positive feedback from patients, Abbatessa said it was an easy decision for her practice to switch their varnish to Duraflor Ultra in the future. “This product encompasses all that we were looking for. I would highly recommend this varnish.”
takeaways
•
Easy to open 0.4-mL unit dose packages in mint, strawberry, and caramel flavors
•
Smooth consistency easily applies to enamel and dentin for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth
•
Advanced formula quickly releases fluoride within 2-4 hours for maximum fluoride benefit
•
Dries to a natural tooth color for better patient compliance
