Minimally invasive, preventive treatment
Dental hygiene treatment has traditionally focused on daily cleanings, fluoride treatments, and patient education. However, with increased knowledge of the oral-systemic connection, we are seeing more oral health professionals lean toward a minimally invasive, preventative approach.
Clinical studies indicate that the most effective means of preventive dentistry is to focus on complete biofilm removal rather than the heaviest deposits first.2 After a comprehensive assessment, uncovering the biofilm gives us a blueprint of where it thrives so removal can be precise. The use of modern methods to remove the biofilm first, followed by ultrasound instruments only where hard deposits are detected, is considered. Hand scaling is limited to areas of thinly exfoliated deposits.
New hygiene methods ensure that teeth are completely free of biofilm. Therefore, the risk of acid attack while eating is high. To counter this, a protective layer of fluoride is applied.
Fluorine for remineralization
Fluoride varnishes and toothpastes are ideal for treating sensitivity and promoting remineralization after biofilm removal. Fluoride varnishes, such as Voco’s Profluorid Varnish, strengthen enamel, create a protective barrier and release fluoride over time, aiding remineralization. This fluoride varnish is thin and contains 5% sodium fluoride and xylitol in a no-mess single-dose delivery system, providing less waste in adult and pediatric dosages.3 This varnish sets quickly in saliva and offers high immediate fluoride release. Its colorless composition makes it an ideal candidate for use after dental hygiene treatment.
Remin Pro, also from Voco, is a water-based toothpaste enriched with essential minerals that offers a non-invasive approach to remineralizing enamel and preventing hypersensitivity. This toothpaste contains nano-hydroxyapatite (calcium and phosphate), fluoride and xylitol.4 Nano-Hydroxyapatite helps to fill surface damage on enamel surfaces caused by descaling and corrosion. To combat acid attack and strengthen enamel, it contains 1,450 ppm sodium fluoride.4 The last ingredient, xylitol, is known for its bacteriostatic properties. Patients can use these toothpastes in custom trays or by brushing a pea-sized amount onto their teeth. It is ideal during orthodontic treatment or after professional teeth whitening or dental treatment appointments.
Minimally invasive dental hygiene has evolved with technological advances and a deeper understanding of oral health. The evolution from prophylactic measures to a comprehensive approach reflects the profession’s commitment to preventive care, and the use of exfoliation solutions and thorough biofilm removal exemplifies the modern approach to prevention.
Fluoride varnishes and toothpastes preserve natural tooth structure by promoting remineralization and treating sensitivity, preventing oral disease. As dental professionals embrace minimally invasive treatment, dentistry will undergo further improvements, ensuring a holistic, patient-centered, evidence-based approach to oral care.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the March 2024 print edition RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a free print subscription. Register here.
bibliographical references
- Boyd LD, Mallonee LF, Wyche CJ, Wilkins EM. The professional dental hygienist. In: Boyd LD, Mallonee LF, Wyche CJ, eds. Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. 13th ed Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2020:3–17.
- Karmakar S, Kamath DG. Subgingival gasification: A simple and cost-effective medical insurance. J Pharm Sci Res. 2017? 9 (2): 199–201.
- Profluoride Varnish. The thin and tasteful clear 5% sodium fluoride varnish in a no-mess delivery system. Voco. voco.dental/us/portaldata/1/resources/products/folders/us/ voco-profluorid-varnish_fol_us.pdf
- Remin Pro. Preventive dental care with fluoride and hydroxyapatite. Voco. hambaarst.ee/share/file/pdf/voco/Remin_Pro.pdf
Melissa Calhoun, MSDH, RDH, Voco key opinion leader, is currently an instructor at Tarrant County College in Hurst, Texas and has more than two decades of experience in various areas of dental hygiene, including pediatrics. Outside of clinical practice, he is an educator for Arm and Hammer Oral Care and the Swiss Dental Academy (SDA). She teaches National Board Dental Hygiene reviews with Sanders Board Preparatory. Contact Melissa at [email protected] or on Instagram @missyrdh.
