Product Evaluation Update
DPS revisits the evaluation of Enamelast 5% sodium fluoride varnish, checking in with current users and reporting on updates.
Enamelast Evaluation
A non-gritty 5% sodium fluoride varnish that’s easy to apply, stays in place, and comes in 5 pleasant flavors
Most patients are probably not jumping for joy at the idea of having a dental hygienist paint fluoride varnish on their teeth. After all, who wants to endure a gritty, bad-tasting, filmy layer that flakes off for the next several hours? Because they believe that prevention should be a positive experience for patients, Ultradent Dental Products developed a different kind of fluoride varnish, Enamelast, with a natural feel and pleasant taste so patients will leave it on their teeth for maximum fluoride absorption.
A flavored, non-gritty, 5% sodium fluoride, Enamelast adheres well to teeth while providing maximum fluoride release and uptake, according to Ultradent. “I use a lot of Ultradent products because they stand behind all their products, and one of my favorites is Enamelast fluoride varnish,” said Dr. Paul Olenyn. “It has the best adhesion of all the varnishes I have tried, and it has a non-gritty invisible appearance and pleasant taste that makes it a great choice for both children and adults.”
Taste & Texture
Originally evaluated by DPS in 2015, Enamelast has now expanded from its original Walterberry flavor to include 4 other xylitol-sweetened, patient-pleasing flavors—Orange Cream, Cool Mint, Bubble Gum, and Caramel—that are free of nuts and gluten. Thanks to its smooth, non-gritty texture, Ultradent says patients tend to leave the varnish on their teeth longer, allowing it to deliver the maximum amount of fluoride.
In Dr. Olenyn’s practice, he said many children enjoy the Bubble Gum flavor, while adults prefer the Walterberry. “It’s a great product that is well liked by patients because it has a pleasant taste and doesn’t feel gritty on their teeth,” he noted. “The caramel flavor was a hit!” said hygienist Jen Irvine, adding, “The flavor and texture are very accepting to all patients, young and old.” Lynn Turner, LDH, had a similar experience and explained, “The patients loved the taste. This was the first time patients told us they actually loved the taste of any varnish.”
“Patients love the flavors and invisible appearance, and I like the non-gritty texture and appearance,” shared Dr. Mitchell Pasenkoff, who said he first tried Enamelast over a year ago when treating a patient who had a gluten allergy. Knowing that the fluoride varnish is gluten and nut free, he has been using it ever since.
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"A non-gritty |
"Unlike other |
can be applied in a thin layer and does not clump." |
| Paul Olenyn, DDS Burke, VA |
Mitchell Pasenkoff, DMD Norfolk, MA |
Lisa Juliana, PHDHP Carlisle, PA |
Application & Invisibility
With 2 mix-free delivery options—a 1.2-mL syringe or 0.4-mL unit dose—Enamelast applies easily to teeth with a SoftEZ tip attached to the syringe, or with a disposable applicator brush dipped in a single-dose prefilled well. “I loved the fact that it was easy to apply,” said Irvine. “I like the single dose that does not clump and can be applied in a thin layer,” noted Lisa Juliana, PHDHP, who suggested the package could be easier to open. Turner and her dental hygiene students enjoyed the syringe application with SoftEZ tips. “The students loved the brush at the end of the varnish tube, which made it go on smoothly,” she shared, adding, “I liked the consistency and ease of application.”
Its nearly invisible appearance is well accepted by patients and is “barely noticeable,” according to hygienist Pamela Delahanty, who said she liked Enamelast’s ease of application, coverage, and color. When asked what he liked best about the varnish, Dr. Pasenkoff stated, “I like the invisible appearance and that patients do not complain.”
"The flavor and texture are very accepting to all patients, young and old."
-Jen Irvine, RDH
Rockford, MI
Retention & Fluoride Release
Enamelast features a patented adhesion-promoting agent for enhanced retention, allowing it to remain on a patient’s teeth for the recommended time to receive full benefits of the fluoride. It releases fluoride at a high rate and allows for efficient absorption of fluoride ions, according to Ultradent, and also is suitable for the treatment of tooth hypersensitivity. Patients should avoid brushing, flossing, and chewing hard, sticky, or hot foods for 4 to 6 hours after treatment. The varnish will gradually flake off with each brushing.
“My hygienists find it easy to apply and highly effective in treating patients with hypersensitivity,” noted Dr. Olenyn. When asked why he uses Enamelast instead of another brand of fluoride varnish, Dr. Pasenkoff said, “Unlike other varnishes, Enamelast is certified gluten-free and releases fluoride.” Appreciating that it stays in place when applied, Turner declared, “I think this is great product! It works so well with placement and stays where it’s put, which speaks volumes about it.”
Overall Satisfaction
For over 2 years, Dr. Olenyn and his hygienists have relied on Enamelast for its ease of application, pleasant taste, smooth texture, and excellent adhesion. He recommends that other dental practices give Enamelast a try for its efficiency, effectiveness, and fluoride-releasing capabilities. Delahanty summed up her experience with Enamelast by saying, “Just about all patients thought the taste was very good and, when asked, said they didn’t mind the texture it left on their teeth. I think you have a winner!”
Takeaways
•2 easy methods of application--syringe with SoftEZ tip or unit dose with disposable applicator brush
•Available in 5 pleasant flavors-- Walterberry, Caramel, Orange Cream, Cool Mint, & Bubble Gum
•Smooth non-gritty texture
•Patented adhesion-promoting agent for enhanced retention
•Gluten-free, nut-free formula releasess fluoride and treats hypersensitivity
