To understand the true value of preventative dentistry is to understand that prevention is better than cure, or so the old adage goes. That certainly is true for caries, simply down to the fact that tooth decay can’t really be cured but the results of tooth decay can be restored. History tells us that once a tooth has had its first restoration, that tooth will continue to need restoring for the rest of its life and the size of the restoration required is more than likely going to increase as time goes on. If we can prevent caries from taking hold in the beginning, the life of that tooth can be significantly increased.
The general preventative procedure will usually begin with a thorough clean, often involving air polishing then varnish or sealant application. Finally, we enter the maintenance phase (carried out by the patient) where fluoride application via daily brushing will allow the enamel to strengthen and sensitivity reduced.
Air Polishing:
Air polishing is a procedure which uses air and water pressure to deliver a controlled stream of specially processed powders in a slurry through the handpiece nozzle. Fine particles of powders are propelled by compressed air in a warm spray and directed onto the surfaces of the teeth. This pressurized jet of air, water and powder removes surface stains, plaque and other soft deposits such as food particles trapped in between the teeth.
There are many powders available, but 3M™ Clinpro™ Prophy Powder is one of only a few to be glycine based. Glycine powder has been shown to be less damaging to enamel and dentine tooth surfaces than conventional sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate powders; pumice; ultrasonics and hand instruments. Glycine based powders also cause less damage to restorative materials and ortho brackets; as well as being gentle enough to clean plaque biofilm sub gingivally. This can be very helpful for the treatment of periodontitis.
3M™ Clinpro™ Prophy Powder with Fluoride
Sealant:
Sealant application is often recommended for children whose permanent dentition are through, just at a time when cleaning ability isn’t ideal. Protection of these brand-new fissures will really help reduce the risk of caries and should prevent the need for restorative treatments further down the road.
The issue with most fissure sealants is that they tend to be white in colour, so trying to accurately place a white material on a white tooth surface can be tricky to see where it has and hasn’t been placed. 3M™ Clinpro™ Sealant is a fissure sealant with a unique patented colour change feature. It’s pink when applied to the tooth surface, and changes to an opaque off-white colour when light cured. The pink colour helps the dental professional with the accuracy and quantity of material placed during the sealing procedure.
Varnish:
Teeth without fissures can be offered protection via the application of a varnish. Several varnishes exist in the market, each offering different deliveries mechanisms: flavours and active ingredients. It has been well proven and documented that calcium alone will not prevent caries, but calcium and fluoride will. The difficulty with preparations that combine calcium and fluoride is the potential for the calcium oxides to interact undesirably with fluoride. These interactions can render both the calcium and the fluoride inactive and can impact on the amount of bioavailable calcium and fluoride to the teeth.
The application of a fluoride varnish to teeth will help with sensitivity but also help deliver fluoride, which in turn, will help protect teeth.
3M™ Clinpro™ White Varnish with TCP contains an innovative functionalised Tri-Calcium Phosphate (fTCP). fTCP is the name given to the innovative calcium-based additive used in Clinpro White Varnish. Unlike varnishes that quickly release their fluoride, Clinpro White Varnish with Tri-Calcium Phosphate (fTCP) provides a prolonged, steady fluoride delivery – enhancing absorption into the tooth, giving the protection you expect for patients of all ages.
3M™ Clinpro™ White Varnish with TCP
Remineralize:
Still utilising all the benefits of fTCP, 3M™ Clinpro™ Tooth Crème is perfect for long term prevention aided by the patient at home. What makes Clinpro Tooth Crème so innovative is the way in which Tri-Calcium Phosphate is prepared to allow it to co-exist with fluoride in an aqueous environment. Clinpro Tooth Crème is a simple one-step application requiring patients to simply brush with it twice daily in place of their conventional toothpaste. Clinpro Tooth Crème’s innovative fTCP formula maximises the performance of both calcium and fluoride to provide improved fluoride delivery, strengthening of enamel and reversal of white spot lesions.
An effective plan for treating caries must also include a strategy to protect from caries-causing habits. If that sounds time-consuming or complicated—it isn’t. 3M gives you a comprehensive solution that not only restores and protects but is also fast and easy too! The Clinpro family offers a full package of prevention tools for your patients while offering innovation solutions in the form of colour change technology and the highly innovative fTCP.
As dentistry continues to evolve, healthcare professionals continue to improve patient health, encourage mindset shifts, and transform how the industry operates. By focusing on prevention, you can give your patients a head start on the road to lifelong oral health and demonstrate your practice’s dedication to the highest standard of care.
