Dentinal hypersensitivity is a very commonly and frequently encountered problem in the dental clinics. Sensitivity to cold, hot, sweet, or even air pressure changes causes severe discomfort to the patient. Patients avoid eating from the sensitive side which leads to plaque and calculus deposition which further may progress to the development of dental caries and periodontal problems. Thus, it is very essential to manage the in house as well as post operative sensitivity to prevent further oral health problems.

Getting to the roots of hypersensitivity

The most accepted theory for dentinal hypersensitivity is the hydrodynamics theory by Brainstrom. According to this theory, when a stimulus is applied to the dentin, it causes a tubular movement of the fluid within the dentinal tubules. This fluid movement causes a depolarization or deformation of the nerve ending generating a pain stimulus. The dentinal hypersensitivity can be treated by two methods, firstly by occluding the dentinal tubules ie the occlusive mechanism or secondly by reducing the excitability of the nerve ie the neural mechanism of action.

Desensitizing Agents

There are a plethora of dental desensitizing agents available in the market. There are wide ranged products based on sodium fluoride, potassium nitrate, strontium chloride, stannous fluoride, and calcium nitrate which work well as a desensitizing agent. Most of these products have a tubular occlusion mechanism of action.

Calcium phosphate mineral based products are the most popular amongst all. Calcium phosphate-based agents yield a substantial result by occluding the dentinal tubules as well as by reducing the dentinal permeability. The calcium phosphate mineral based desensitizing agents exhibit a property to form hydroxyapatite crystals as a final product in the oral environment which closely resembles the tooth structure. Hence, is the most preferred choice by most of the clinicians.

Which desensitizing agent is the best one?

While choosing a desensitizing agent look for these.

• It should be non-irritating to the pulp tissue.
• It should be painless to use.
• The application has to be easy and non-tedious.
• The mechanism of action of the desensitizing agents has to be very fast.
• It should be bio-compatible
• The effect of these agents has to be relatively long term.
• And the most importantly choose the one that has anti-staining effect on the teeth.

About Prime Dental desensitizer

The dental desensitizer by Prime is a potassium oxalate-based agent. The oxalate-based agents precipitate ferric oxalate crystals which occlude the open dentinal tubules and bring about instant sclerosis of tubules. They also react with the calcium ions within the dentin and dentinal fluids to form calcium oxalate crystals. However, these crystals get dissolved in the oral fluids. According to a Brazilian study, the potassium oxalate- based agents reduces the dentin permeability by around 95-98%. It’s a 3gm syringe containing transparent gel formulation.

Method of Use

Clean the area of application with a cotton pellet. Semi dry the tooth surface so that it is not completely dry but some moisture left over. Isolation of the area of concern is extremely important. The tooth surface should not be pooled with oral fluids. The gel formulation is to be applied through the needle tips provided by the manufacturer on the concerned area. Make sure to evenly spread the agent on the entire sensitive surface. The gel has to be on the surface for 90 seconds. Wipe the excess gel and rinse the tooth surface to remove the left-over gel after 90 seconds. This application forms the calcium oxalate crystals on the tooth surface. Thus, the calcium oxalate crystals occlude the dentinal tubules thereby reducing the dentinal sensitivity.

Special precautions

• Do not apply it on the soft tissues.
• Do not wait for more than 90 seconds after applying the desensitizing agent.
• Maintain strict isolation throughout the procedure.
  
  Advantages

• Very economical.
• Easy to use.
• Immediate results.
• Does not cause staining of teeth.
• Painless application.
• Accurate consistency of the gel.

How to use the Prime Desensitizing agent?

Vital tooth preparations for crowns and FPDs
For better results apply the desensitizing agent prior to impression making. The desensitizing agent has a long-term effect and results in minimum post crown cementation discomfort and sensitivity.

Indirect restorations in deep cavities
Apply the desensitizing agent prior to the application of varnish in deep cavities or flowable composites. Application of desensitizer in such cases greatly reduces the post operative sensitivity.

Cervical cavities
Cervical cavities are highly sensitive due to the exposed cemento-enamel junction. The desensitizing agent plays a vital role in reducing the sensitivity of such moderate to deep cervical cavities. The gel-based agents should be applied before the restoration to eliminate the post operative sensitivity.

Post scaling and root planning.
Scaling and root planning exposes an enormous number of dentinal tubules to the oral environment. Also, gingival recession and root planning procedures may expose root dentin due to removal of cementum causing extreme sensitivity to the patients. Prime dental desensitizing agent gives desirable results by blocking the exposed tubules providing immediate relief to the patient.

Highlights

• Dental desensitizer by Prime is the most economical product of the many products available in the market.
• It has multiple range of applications in various treatment procedures.
• The desensitizing agent is extremely easy to use and gives rapid results.
• It is non-irritating to the pulp tissue.
• It is one of the best desensitizing agents which works by occluding the dentinal tubules and reducing the dentin permeability.