Thanks Stu. Historically, the most effective desensitizing ingredient has been potassium nitracte which was the active on which the Sensodyne Brand was built. Now, just about all brands wave a potassium nitrate offering. The problem with the potassium nitrate is it's a analgesic and it's benefit is temporary at best. Where the new calcium-phospate compounds have an edge is they actually remineralize the tooth by precipitating a calcium/phosphate mineral layer (hydroxyapatite) on the surface of the tooth, and are especially effective at remineralizing the softer dentin surface. This is where we experience the problem with sensitivity as the soft tissue (gum) is damaged (trauma or disease) or recedes with aging and exposes the microscopic tubules in the dentin portion of the tooth. These little passages serve to allow changes in temperature (and perhaps pressure) to impact the tooth root resulting in sensitivty. The benefit of the calcium phosphosilicate toothpaste is ..... it doesn't rely on fluoride extracting calcium and phosphate from our saliva but instead provides its own mineral ... resulting on a much more relaible and consistent source for remineralization. I guess the best analogy is ... it's like filling small pores in a wooden surface with some form of wood putty. With regard to the Prevident offering. I know Colgate is looking at these technologies and will probably be reacting, soon, to some new products being taken to market by a few professional denatl products distributors both in and outside of the US, markets where fluoride is not viewed favorably, epsecially in high concentrations like 5000 parts/million.
Gaeterz I'm impressed with your knowledge of the subject. Sensitivity is a major problem for the aging baby boomers as evidenced by virtually all the toothpaste in the store is either a whitening or a desensitizing or combination. You are correct that the old technology is the Potassium Nitrate, works for some and for some doesn't help at all. The new technologies are promising, but they do depend on regular use and with regards to remineralizing they depend (IMHO) on the patient changing the environment that caused the lesion in the first place...ie the plaque + sugar = lactic acid to demineralize the enamel. I have tried a product called MI Paste (made by GC America) with some success, it's a lot more expensive than what I have been using. CPP-ACP Paste It's in chewing gum as well.
Penn State has won 19 of their last 20 games at home, the only loss coming at the hands of Michigan last season. They are 5-2 against Ohio State at home since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1993. Our last loss in Happy Valley was 14-7 in 2005. Need I say more?
Quit talking football on our dentistry topic. :? Penn State has the #2 defense in the league. Our offense needs to be mistake-free (which it has not). Take the under. :shock:
Discuss football .... but someone mentioned Dental School!!! Terry I used Sensodyne from the mid 80's until 2001, when one application of a raw bioactive ceramic glass and subsequent used of a calcium/phosphate toothpaste absolutely cured my hot/cold sensitivity. Further, I've experienced a dramatic decrease in calculus/tartar, and significant reduction in probing depth (via ligament re-attachment) in my upper left quadrant which was the result of an old wisdom tooth extraction. If you're looking for a better solution than MI Paste, ask your dentist for SootheRx or just try one of the products at Oravive.com. http://oravive.com/ I know for a fact (do ask me how 8) why but there was a presentation at a recent IADR event on the work) that it's outperformed the Recaldent active ingredient in MI paste, as well as MI Paste during in vitro studies. Also, the Oravive active is an inorganic compound with certain anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory characteristics which is actually safer than the organic, milk-derived calcium base in Recaldent. Good luck with your sensitivity.
Gaeterz I had never heard of that product but it does look interesting. Given that it's mfg in Fla are you one of the investors? You do seem to know a lot more about this than the typical consumer might know. Also you said you had an application of "raw bioactive ceramic glass" how was that appllied? I read through that website, and I didn't see any mention of that just the Novamin compd. I'd be interested to know about that as well. Raw bioactive ceramic glass sounds more like something that coats implants or is used in products to graft extraction sockets. Terry
Stu, I agree.....I see a good old-fashioned Big 10 scrap. Two great defenses, a great venue in prime time with the Nits playing for their conference lives and the Buckeyes playing for another championship run. Should be a great game.....Andy would be fully engaged. Here's one for the ages.....our local club hosts an NCAA golf tourney each fall with 25 or so teams typically including several Big 10 teams. This year we - as in my family and I - agreed to host a dinner in our home for the Penn State girls team and their families.....the tournament is this weekend and the "girls" will be over Saturday evening! Ain't that a b!tch.....that one is for you Andy!
I work with some of the founders of the operation active in the life science, bio-tech community in Gainesville/Alachua FL where UF has it's bio-tech incubator. And yes, the bio-active ceramic glass is used in both orthopedic and dental "implantable" medical devices. The dental product is branded as PerioGlas. It's also the active in Nucare Root Conditioner. With regard to bioactive ceramic glass, it's not readily available on the open market. The particular compound I used was actually produced and used as the platform technology in certain bone regeneration products manufactured by a UF (materials science and engineering) technology spin-off, with which I am involved. That same compound, more or less, is now the active ingredeint in the Oravive product.
Mike, Welcome to the Skybox! Penn State has given us our share of grief in Happy Valley. Hopefully this will not be the case this year. Don