My article, Bioactive Glass -A Revolutionary Desensitizer published in Student Digest ,Dec 2017,an official IDA publication. Bioactive glasses, calcium sodium phosphosilicate and Fluoro Calcium phosphosilicate are used in toothpaste to remineralize and relieve dentin sensitivity. Research studies have shown that bioactive glass based toothpaste like Elsenz, SHY NM toothpaste offers long lasting relief from sensitivity and highly resistant to acid challenge.

1. 13Student digest | mumbai | DECEMBER 2017
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Bioactive Glass -
A Revolutionary Desensitizer
Dentine hypersensitivity is one of the most common
complaints among dental patients. “It is characterized
by short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response
to stimuli, typically thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic or
chemical and which cannot be ascribed to any other dental
defect or pathology". It is found in patients whose dentine
has become exposed by gingival recession, loss of enamel or
cementum due to toothbrush abrasion, attrition or erosion.
The hydrodynamic theory states that when external stimuli
are applied to the exposed dentine, it induces fluid movement
within the dentinal tubules which, in turn, activates the
intra-dental nerves leading to pain in teeth. A dentist first
recommends desensitizing toothpaste. If the patient's dentine
sensitivity remains a problem after using for a month, dentist
re-evaluates and considers in-office treatment. Unattended
dentine sensitivity can affect a person’s lifestyle or change
eating, drinking and even breathing habits.
Desensitizing Agents - Home Therapy
Desensitizing toothpaste is the first line therapy for dentine
hypersensitivity. Currently two approaches are applied in the
treatment of dentine sensitivity. First approach is to depolarize
the nerve fibres and the second is to block the exposed
dentinal tubules. Potassium nitrate based toothpastes relieve
sensitivity by depolarizing nerves, but leave dentine exposed.
Strontium chloride and arginine-based toothpaste occlude
dentinal tubules and less resistant to acid attack. Therefore,
recurrence of sensitivity is one of the major problems faced by
the patients as these products don’t offer long lasting relief.
Bioactive Glass - A Novel Molecule
Bioactive glasses are a group of surface reactive glasses
that was originally developed as bone regenerative material.
Bioactive glass is chemically known as calcium sodium
phosphosilicate (CSPS). When bioactive glass is incorporated
into a dentifrice, bioactive glass particles adhere to the
dentine. Dissolution of the bioactive glass in the mouth raises
pH, which leads to formation of hydroxyapatite like layer over
tooth surface and within the dentinal tubules, relieving tooth
sensitivity.
Recently Fluoro calcium phosphosilicate (BioMinF), an
advanced form of fluoride containing bioactive glass
incorporated in desensitizing dentifrices. It differs from the
conventional bioactive glass by the presence of calcium
fluoride in the glass, higher phosphate content and a smaller
particle size.
BioMinF relieves sensitivity and remineralizes enamel by
forming fluorapatite which is more resistant to acid attack than
hydroxyapatite and hydroxycarbonate apatite. High phosphate
content in BioMinF increases the rate of remineralization and
sustained release of fluoride remineralizes teeth for longer
periods. This combined action of apatite formation and ion
release makes BioMinF a unique one to use for treating
dentine sensitivity. It is one of the most advanced molecules
that were developed for dentine sensitivity.
Research studies have shown that bioactive glass based
toothpastes offer long lasting relief from sensitivity and are
highly resistant to acid challenge than potassium nitrate,
strontium chloride and arginine toothpastes. Bioactive glass
prevents acid dissolution during consumption of acidic foods
or beverages and recurrence of
dentine sensitivity is less
as compared to other
desensitizing agents.
Bioactive glass toothpaste
allows patients to enjoy
hot, cold, sweet and sour
food or beverages.
Dr. Kamala D. N.
Ex-Lecturer, Department of Periodontics,
Sree Siddhartha Dental College,
Tumkur, Karnataka.