Several times a week, I see patients who experience sensitivity due to dentin exposure. I'm always looking for ways to make their experiences in my chair less miserable. Now that I've found Colgate Sensitive Pre-Procedural Desensitizing Paste, I have a new way to minimize their discomfort.
This product is an arginine and calcium carbonate paste that seals open dentinal tubules effectively, thereby reducing dentin hypersensitivity. One study demonstrated that a single in-office application resulted in immediate relief and reduced dentin sensitivity for six weeks following the procedure. (1)
Despite the "Pre-Procedural" part of its name, the paste can be used before or after dental procedures. I find it particularly useful after scaling and root planing, when root surfaces that previously had been occluded by calculus might become exposed. For prophylaxis patients, it can be used before scaling or toward the end of the appointment in place of polishing paste.
One of the best things about the product is that its application is quick and already part of the treatment procedure. There is no extra equipment to set up or technique to learn. It is simple to apply with a prophy cup, and it's available in an easy-to-use three-ounce tube.
Having a product such as Colgate Sensitive Pre-Procedural Desensitizing Paste means I can help reduce hypersensitivity in my patients, which—I hope—will keep them coming back on schedule to maintain their oral health.
Reference
1. Pepelassi E, Rahiotis C, Peponi E, Kakaboura A, Vrotsos I. Effectiveness of an in-office arginine-calcium carbonate paste on dentine hypersensitivity in periodontitis patients: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2015;42(1):37-45.
Colleen M. Olson, RDH, BBA, is an editorial director for the e-newsletter, Pearls for Your Practice: The Product Navigator. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas A&M University in 2008 and worked in sales for five years. She graduated from the Blinn College dental hygiene program in 2013. She is a full-time mom to Bonnie Grace and is currently a part-time hygienist in private practice in San Antonio, Texas. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Zach, and their families.