Effects of desensitizing dentifrices on dentin tubule occlusion and resistance to erosive challenges

Background Many studies have demonstrated efficacy of casein phosphopeptide (CPP) containing products for dentin tubule occlusion for treatment of dentin sensitivity, but their effectiveness under dynamic erosive challenges remains to be elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a desensitizing dentifrice containing CPP in occluding dentin tubules and resisting erosive challenges in comparison to that containing polyvinyl methyl ether/maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymers. Methods A total of 33 dentin discs were prepared from coronal sections of human third molars and divided into 3 groups: a toothpaste containing CPP; a toothpaste containing PVM/MA and submicron silica; and a regular toothpaste (Controls). A soft-bristle toothbrush was used to brush the dentin discs with the dentifrices for 45 strokes in 30 s at a force of approximately 200 g. The brushing cycle was repeated after immersion of the dentin discs in artificial saliva overnight. The dentin discs were then challenged in orange juice for 10 min in an incubator rocking at 120 rpm. Three fields were randomly selected on each dentin disk surface to assess dentin tubule occlusions after each brushing cycle and after orange juice challenge with a 3D laser scanning microscope. Specimen cross sections were examined with a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Results After the first and second cycles of brushing, dentin tubules were occluded on average by 56.3% and 85.7% in CPP group, 66.2% and 88.1% in PVM/MA group, and 0.0 and 13.0% in the controls, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in dentin tubule occlusions between the CPP and PVM/MA groups after two cycles of brushing (p>0.05). After dynamic erosive challenges with orange juice, 20.3% of the dentin tubules in the CPP group, 79.1% in the PVM/MA group and none in the control remained occluded (P<0.05). SEM/EDS imaging showed that dentin tubules were blocked with plugs containing dentifrice substances in CPP and PVM/MA groups after treatments, but none in the controls. Conclusions Desensitizing dentifrices containing CPP or PVM/MA could effectively occlude dentin tubules after two cycles of brushing. PVM/MA in combination with submicron silicon dioxide exhibited stronger resistance to dynamic erosive challenges by acidic beverages. Inorganic fillers that can enter dentin tubules and resist erosive challenges may be key for desensitizing dentifrices.

On the use of aqueous solutions of polyvinyl methyl ether for the embolization of blood vessels

Aqueous solutions of polyvinyl methyl ether were investigated in order to test whether it is possible to utilize them as bases for embolic agents used to deliberately block blood vessels. This may be necessary in the course of treatment of vascular abnormalities, tumors, as well as during the preparation of patients for surgery. The right branch of the binodal curve for the binary system “polyvinyl methyl ether–water” was drawn using the cloud point method and the lower critical mixing temperature (35.5 °C) was calculated. Furthermore, the exact concentration of polyvinyl methyl ether in aqueous solutions at which phase transition occurs (given the temperature of 35.5 °C) was found to be 30 wt %. The viscosity–velocity curves for the 30% solution of polyvinyl methyl ether, obtained by rheoviscometry in the temperature range of 5 to 36 °C, indicate that this aqueous solution has a low viscosity and behaves like a Newtonian fluid. However, at the temperature of 35 °C and higher, close to the phase transition, a significant deviation from its Newtonian behavior is observed due to precipitation of polyvinyl methyl ether as it forms a solid white mass. Through the use of the Arrhenius–Frenkel–Eyring equation, the activation energy of the viscous flow for polyvinyl methyl ether solutions was found to be 31 kJ/mol. Based on refractometry data, it was demonstrated that phase transition in aqueous solutions of polyvinyl methyl ether is reversible. This feature can facilitate medical equipment cleaning before introducing the embolic agent into a patient’s bloodstream. Finally, the investigation determined some parameters, in which the formation of embolic agents from a 30% polyvinyl methyl ether aqueous solution occurs (in situ in a blood vessel at a temperature of 35.5 °C).

Final Report of the Amended Safety Assessment of PVM/MA Copolymer and Its Related Salts and Esters as Used in Cosmetics

Polyvinyl methyl ether/maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymer, and its related salts and esters, are used in cosmetics, mainly as binders, film formers, and hair fixatives. Animal and human data relevant to the use of these ingredients in cosmetic products were reviewed by the CIR Expert Panel. The Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe for use in cosmetic products.

Effectiveness of Three Different Toothpaste Formulations in Reduction of Plaque and Gingivitis: A Comparative Clinical Study

ABSTRACT The role of dental plaque in gingivitis and periodontitis is well established. It is commonly observed that daily brushing often fails to achieve and maintain optimum gingival health. In order to improve the efficacy of the self-performed mechanical tooth cleaning procedure, antimicrobial substances like chlorhexidine, metallic ions, fluorides and various phenolic compounds have been evaluated, as such adjuvants in clinical trials that have been added to dentifrice used during tooth brushing. Triclosan (2, 4, 4' trichloro-2'hydroxyphenylether) is a nonionic antibacterial agent with broad spectrum activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Recently, triclosan was introduced in toothpaste and mouth rinses for control of plaque and gingivitis. However, maximum antiplaque activity is shown when triclosan is used in combination with agents like copolymer polyvinyl methyl ether maleic acid (PVM/MA). The PVM/MA copolymer retains the triclosan on the soft and hard surfaces of the oral cavity for several hours. This study aims in proving efficacy of triclosan copolymer toothpaste over the triclosan alone and non-triclosan toothpaste in reduction of plaque and gingivitis.