Sheri Suggests -- Highlights from Chicago Midwinter, Part 1

In this occasional series, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares her perspective on various dental instruments, materials, and equipment. These are products Dr. Doniger personally uses or has tested in her practice.

I returned from the Chicago Midwinter Meeting with dental hygiene products on my mind. The meeting was, as always, fantastic. There were more than 30,000 participants taking continuing education and purchasing products in the exhibit hall -- all with no major snowstorm. After the winter we have had here in the Chicago area, we were quite grateful!

Here is part 1 of "Sheri Suggests" from the Chicago Midwinter meeting, with an emphasis on hygiene products I found noteworthy.

Nupro Sensodyne prophylaxis paste and Sensodyne 5,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste with NovaMin

Dentinal hypersensitivity is a huge issue in any practice. A new combination of an in-office treatment and at-home regimen has been developed to relieve dentinal hypersensitivity while remineralizing the tooth. By utilizing a fluoride prophylaxis paste containing NovaMin (GlaxoSmithKline) combined with a home use of a therapeutic paste with NovaMin and 5,000 ppm fluoride, studies have shown a decrease in reported pain from patients.

Nupro Sensodyne prophylaxis paste with fluoride and NovaMin, and Sensodyne 5,000 ppm fluoride ion toothpaste with NovaMin.

Nupro Sensodyne prophylaxis paste with fluoride and NovaMin, and Sensodyne 5,000 ppm fluoride ion toothpaste with NovaMin.

Dentsply International has now added NovaMin, a calcium sodium phosphosilicate bioactive glass, to its Nupro products. NovaMin works by reacting with saliva to release sodium ions, which exchange with the hydrogen ions in the tooth. This process frees up the calcium phosphate ions to bind to the tooth, covering the exposed dentin and rebuilding the tooth.

Follow-up treatment of Sensodyne 5,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste with NovaMin will be dispensed by the practitioner to continue the care regimen at home. Sensodyne 5,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste with NovaMin will be available only through dental practitioners.

"With NovaMin added to the Nupro Sensodyne prophy paste, your dental hygienist now has a prophy paste that can remove stain and help provide sensitivity relief for your patient who suffers from dentin sensitivity," said Linda Niessen, chief clinical officer with Dentsply International. "The new high-fluoride toothpaste with NovaMin will allow your patient to continue the sensitivity treatment at home."

Waterpik Water Flossers

How many different ways do we tell our patients to floss? And how many times do they listen? We all know that breaking up the biofilm is highly important in the maintenance of both periodontal and general health. Translating this information to our patients can be difficult, to say the least.

The Waterpik Water Flosser For Kids by Water Pik.

The Waterpik Water Flosser For Kids by Water Pik.

Water Pik Water Flossers are wonderful adjuncts to our quest for oral hygiene perfection. According to studies conducted at the University of Nebraska and the University of Amsterdam, Water Pik Water Flossers with either the classic tip or their Plaque Seeker Tip were significantly better at reducing gingival bleeding than traditional flossing. Another study showed three times better plaque removal compared with floss for orthodontic patients. This is powerful technology, especially if our patients prefer not to floss.

We routinely recommend the Water Pik Water Flosser to patients in my practice. There is a variety of styles to choose from, including an ergonomic travel model, the Ultra Water Flosser with a variety of settings for a more prescriptive home care regimen, and a new, smaller design especially for children. It is colorful, with a green reservoir and removable decals.

"Dentists and hygienists want alternatives to traditional floss that are effective and easy to use," said Deborah Lyle, RDH, director of professional and clinical affairs for Water Pik. "The Water Pik Water Flosser is clinically proven to be superior to traditional floss in reducing gingival bleeding, it is easy to use, and patients and practitioners can see the results. And the new kids' model helps children establish good oral hygiene habits at an early age."

GC Fuji Temp LT

GC Fuji Temp LT glass ionomer provisional luting cement by GC America.

GC Fuji Temp LT glass ionomer provisional luting cement by GC America.

This new temporary is the first to utilize glass ionomer technology. It is intended for provisional temporization of resin, ceramic, and metal-based crowns, as well as cement for implant abutments. Handling is nonrunny, and it is very easy to remove excess cement. It is great for both short- and long-term provisionalization due to the ionic bonding of the tooth structure to the metals and the fluoride release. There is no residual effect on the permanent cementation after the provisional is removed and the abutment is cleaned. In my office, we have seen no postoperative sensitivity.

"Of all GC Fuji glass ionomers, Fuji Temp LT releases the greatest amount of fluoride," said Dave Bogusz, product manager for GC America. "It is biocompatible and nonirritating to the tooth structure, making it an ideal choice to help prevent peri-implantitis. It also has a low film thickness of 6 microns."

Sheri Doniger, D.D.S., practices clinical dentistry in Lincolnwood, IL. She has served as an educator in several dental and dental hygiene programs, has been a consultant for a major dental benefits company, and has written for several dental publications. You can reach her at [email protected].

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.