Profluorid L Liquid Fluoride Varnish
VOCO America
Profluorid L is an easy-to-apply liquid varnish that decreases sensitivity and won’t interfere with bleaching.
VOCO America’s Profluorid L is a 5% sodium fluoride liquid varnish with calcium deposits formulated to prevent problems typically associated with traditional resin-based varnishes. A synthetic resin matrix ensures that the easy-to-apply liquid won’t interfere with bleaching results, and makes it ideal as a paint-on desensitizer before, during, and after bleaching procedures. It is also indicated for use in patients with allergies to colophony-based materials. The calcium deposits are less water soluble than sodium fluoride, ensuring longer lasting release of fluoride.
The 11 dentists and 3 hygienists who participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation commented on and rated such features as sensitivity relief, ease of application, viscosity, and ability to cure clear.
Sensitivity Relief
Profluorid L is formulated to provide both immediate sensitivity relief and long-term (up to 9 months) desensitization for hypersensitive patients. The user-friendly single-dose delivery system is especially effective for desensitizing cervical areas and the entire mouth before bleaching.
Sensitivity relief was rated as excellent by 3 evaluators, as very good by 4, and as good by 6. A Utah dentist who said he would definitely recommend and purchase the varnish said his patients “noted immediate and significant reduction in sensitivity when it was used to treat exposed roots,” and a Florida hygienist with 38 years of experience said she “liked having a fluoride varnish product made to treat specific areas of sensitivity.” Two evaluators said some patients “didn’t care for the taste” and 1 said patients “liked the thickness and flavor better than what we currently use.” One of the 5 dentists who commented on the “unpleasant smell” suggested “a saliva ejector or high-speed vacuum close to the mouth to capture the vapors.” This same evaluator said it “gave instant relief to cold sensitivity.”
Of the 8 evaluators who commented on the ability to not interfere with bleaching products, 3 rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, and 1 rated it as good.
Ease of Use (Application and Viscosity)
Profluorid L is an extra-thin and transparent liquid, making it an easierto- apply alternative to gummy gels and foams. Ease of use is further enhanced by the single-dose delivery system.
Ease of application was rated as excellent by 7 evaluators, as very good by 3, as good by 1, as fair by 2, and as poor by 1. Some evaluators indicated that ease of use (delivery of the product) was a feature they would like to see improved, with 1 evaluator commenting, “it was difficult to get the drops out of the bottle.” However, other evaluators said that “ease of application” was the feature they liked most. One of these evaluators said that Profluorid L was “quite easy to use with its self-contained micro brush,” and another said, “The ability to detach the dispensing well was my favorite feature.”
Viscosity was rated as excellent by 6 evaluators, as very good by 7, and as fair by 1. When asked about film thickness, 5 evaluators rated it as excellent, 7 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good to fair. One hygienist, who cited viscosity as the feature she liked most, said it “doesn’t feel sticky to patients,” and a dentist who gave it an overall rating of excellent said it “isn’t as sticky as other [varnishes].”
Setting Time and Clear Cure
Setting time was rated as excellent by 4 evaluators, as very good by 7, as good by 2, and as fair by 1, with comments including “the setting time was quick” and “easy to apply and dries fast.” When asked about Profluorid L’s ability to cure clear, 6 evaluators rated it as excellent, 5 rated it as very good, and 3 rated it as good. “It was virtually clear and colorless,” said a dentist who called it much better than similar products.
Overall Satisfaction
Overall satisfaction with Profluorid L was rated as excellent by 5 evaluators, as very good by 4, as good by 1, as fair by 3, and as poor by 1. “I plan on purchasing it,” said a Utah dentist in practice for 26 years.
