Assessment of Dentin Tubular Occlusion of In-office and Prescription Products

Methods: The Hydraulic Conductance test measures the change in dentin permeability (fluid flow) upon application of a product with occlusion properties. Experiments were conducted using a flow sensor - Flodec - under simulated pulpal pressure (70cm H2O). Dentin permeability was measured before and after application of in-office or prescription desensitizing products. Baseline measurement reflects maximum tubular openness which results in higher dentin permeability. A decrease in flow after treatment with a paste indicates occlusion benefit and is calculated as percentage of flow reduction or permeability reduction. Treatment was performed according to each product's insert instructions. Tested products: 1. Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ Desensitizing paste, 2. NUPRO® NUSolutions™ prophy paste, 3. Clinpro™ 5000 toothpaste, 4. MI Paste Plus™ (in office or prescription) 5. ReNew™ toothpaste (in-office or prescription).

Results: Instant and long-term efficacy of Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ Desensitizing paste was confirmed after a 5-second treatment with prophylaxis angle. Instant flow reduction was 92% and remained constant for 90 minutes under simulated pulpal pressure. Flow reduction and acid resistance was measured to compare the efficacy of five in-office/prescription products, applied according to insert instructions. Results show superior efficacy of Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ Desensitizing paste in both attributes. Order of decreasing occlusion efficacy and acid resistance is as follows: Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ Desensitizing paste > NUPRO® NUSolutions™ prophy paste > MI Paste Plus™ > Clinpro™ 5000 toothpaste > ReNew™ toothpaste.

Conclusion: Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ Desensitizing paste has shown instant and long-term dentinal tubule occlusion under simulated pulpal pressure. Superior efficacy of Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ Desensitizing paste versus four in-office/prescription pastes was confirmed with acid challenge experiments. The high performance of the breakthrough Pro-Argin™ Technology is confirmed in vitro, in support of clinical efficacy already established.