Biomin: Prevention Of Post-Scaling Sensitivity
A new comparative study has confirmed that BioMinF is more effective than other toothpastes tested in reducing sensitivity following scaling and root planing, something dental hygienists are already finding. Moira Crawford reports...
Sensitivity following scaling and root planing is a common problem, and one that dental hygienists and therapists are only too familiar with. Many patients with sensitivity problems have tried a number of toothpastes without success, and either suffer after scaling procedures or cannot even bear to endure them. Others find that the procedure triggers sensitivity.
Now an innovative new toothpaste has been launched, BioMinF, which takes a different approach to the treatment and prevention of sensitivity. It has been shown not only to improve the problem on a daily basis but also to have an immediate effect in reducing sensitivity straight after scaling.
A recent trial published in Contemporary Clinical Dentistry (2018) compared the efficacy of three toothpastes in reducing dentine hypersensitivity (DH) – immediately after scaling, and then at 15, 30 and 60 days later. The pastes were:
- A standard fluoride toothpaste containing 1450ppm fluoride
- An alternative product, containing the active ingredient Novamin (calcium sodium phosphosilicate)
- BioMinF, containing the bioactive glass compound fluoro calcium phosphosilicate.
Participants were asked to brush their teeth with the paste allocated to them for two minutes immediately after the scaling and root planing treatment, and then no more than twice a day for the two-month trial period. They were recalled at 15, 30 and 60 days to measure their subjective and thermal sensitivity. The Biomin group showed a higher degree of effectiveness in reducing dentine hypersensitivity, followed by the Novamin group and then the regular fluoride toothpaste.
Prevention of post-scaling sensitivity with BioMinF
- Post scaling, clean the teeth with the prophy paste of choice
- Wash off the residual paste
- Apply a small bead of BioMinF toothpaste into a small Dappens glass
- A small rotary brush should be dabbed into the paste and carefully applied, using a slow brush speed, to exposed dentine areas of the scaled teeth.
The authors concluded that ‘clinical improvement of hypersensitivity through the formation of fluorapatite may aid to hypothesize that fluoro calcium phosphosilicate could be useful in remineralisation and the prevention of demineralisation of tooth structures, especially dentine’. They added ‘it also inhibited the metabolism of bacteria associated with caries, by preventing metabolic acid production’.
They also observed a clinically significant reduction in sensitivity in the group that brushed with BioMinF immediately following the scaling and root planning treatment, suggestive of providing immediate relief. The researchers concluded that: ‘fluoro calcium phosphosilicate dentifrices may provide a new direction for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity’.
This chimes with the experience of many dental hygienists who have used and recommended BiMminF for their patients who suffer from DH.
Hygienist Gitana Rederiene routinely applies Biomin with a soft rotary brush after scaling and polishing with regular polishing toothpaste. ‘By polishing, the biofilm is removed and teeth get more sensitive to acid food or discolouring food,’ she explained. ‘Because Biomin forms a fluorapatite layer on the tooth surface, I can be sure that my patients go out of the clinic with protected dentine. They don’t complain of post scaling sensitivity anymore.’
Sam Davidson, a dental hygienist who works in practices across Kent and the South East of England, has been recommending BioMinF to patients with sensitivity who have had no success with the major sensitivity brands, and has used it for patients who experience sensitivity following scaling. Her own trial among patients has confirmed that they find that Biomin has helped their sensitivity problems, and they are coming back to buy more.
One of her biggest successes has been an elderly patient with extreme sensitivity due to recession, whose condition improved to the point where Sam was able to carry out scaling – something that had previously been impossible. She now routinely recommends Biomin to patients with recession and ahead of carrying out treatments such as whitening. ‘I am passionate about the product,’ she said.