Search

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sealant placement on the detection of caries by a fluorescent camera (FC), the Spectra caries detector., Materials and Methods: In a laboratory study, FC images and readings were obtained from 31 extracted teeth, before and following application of clear sealants (Shofu Clear or Delton unfilled), or opaque sealants (3M Clinpro or Delton FS). Teeth were then sectioned and examined for enamel or dentine caries. Using each tooth's true caries diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity of the FC measurements in detecting dentine caries was calculated. In the clinical study, FC readings were obtained from 41 molars in children prior to and following application of clear sealants., Results: Following application of Shofu or Delton unfilled there were reductions in the mean FC readings of 10% (p=0.5) and 8.2% (p=0.009), respectively. Application of two opaque sealants, 3M or Delton FS significantly reduced mean FC readings 16.2% and 20.8% (p<0.5), respectively. Although the carious lesions could still be observed in FC images from teeth with opaque sealants there was a significant loss of sensitivity in detecting dentinal caries. Clear sealant application caused an insignificant loss of detection sensitivity. Following application of clear sealants to children's molars there was a small (4.01%) but significant (p<0.01) reduction in FC readings recorded from these teeth., Conclusions: The FC can detect caries under clear sealants with little loss of sensitivity. Although lesions can be seen through opaque sealants, loss of sensitivity precludes accurate lesion assessment., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Tooth sensitivity is a common, painful dental condition. Consumer dental products, mostly dentifrices, play an important role in sensitivity treatment. The objective of this review is to describe a new mouthwash-based desensitizing technology., Data: Background literature concerning desensitizing products is reviewed. Potassium salts are the most commonly used active ingredients in desensitizing dentifrices. Clinical studies show that while potassium salt dentifrices are generally effective; most formulations require several weeks to exert their desensitizing effect. Recently, a new desensitizing dentifrice containing the amino acid arginine was introduced. This dentifrice acts to occlude the dentinal tubules, and has been shown to be highly effective in multiple clinical studies. This arginine-containing dentifrice has also been shown to provide instant relief of sensitivity pain when applied directly to the sensitive tooth surface. In contrast to dentifrices, there are few desensitizing mouthwashes available. Building on the success of the arginine-based dentifrice, an arginine-based mouthwash formula was developed and tested., Sources: Published studies in peer-reviewed publications., Study Selection: Controlled and blinded clinical studies to provide evidence of efficacy. In vitro studies are included to indicate the mechanism of action. This review includes studies testing the new arginine-based desensitizing mouthwash., Conclusion: Clinical findings indicate that this new desensitizing mouthwash, based on the Pro-Argin™ mouthwash technology effectively reduces sensitivity symptoms and can be used alone or as a adjunct to the use of the arginine-containing dentifrice in the home treatment of tooth sensitivity., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The authors compared the in vivo antimicrobial effects on microorganisms from dental plaque, saliva and the tongue in subjects who used a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice and a fluoride dentifrice (control)., Methods: The authors assigned 15 subjects randomly to the control dentifrice or the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice for twice-daily use for one week. They collected samples of plaque, saliva and tongue scrapings six and 12 hours after the final brushing. They analyzed colony-forming units of Veillonella species, Fusobacteria species, total cultivable anaerobes and hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S)-producing bacteria. A one-week washout followed. The authors repeated the protocol with the second dentifrice., Results: The results showed no differences at baseline. Significant reductions (88 to 96 percent) in oral anaerobic bacteria were observed in the triclosan/copolymer group six and 12 hours after brushing compared with the control group (P = .001). Fusobacteria decreased by 77 to 92 percent and Veillonella decreased by 84 to 89 percent six and 12 hours after brushing in the triclosan/copolymer group versus the control group. The triclosan/copolymer group also demonstrated a significant decrease in H(2)S-producing bacteria six and 12 hours after brushing (74 to 85 percent) (P = .001)., Conclusions: Brushing with the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice resulted in significant reductions in microorganisms from the three sites compared with the control dentifrice., Clinical Implications: The triclosan/copolymer dentifrice produced sustained effects on oral bacteria for 12 hours.