Consultants’ Comments
- “Effective after in-office bleaching.”
- “Offer the desensitizer in various flavors.”
- “Improve written instructions.”
- “Make it thicker or in a foam vehicle for tray and localized use.”
Description
soothe is a colorless and tasteless, topical desensitizing gel containing 6% potassium nitrate and 0.1% fluoride ions. It is designed to relieve tooth sensitivity caused by chemical and thermal changes. The manufacturer suggests using it before and after bleaching procedures. It can be applied either in the dental office or given to the patient for use at home. soothe is packaged in plastic dispensing syringes (four, 1.2-ml syringes per kit). The gel should be rubbed onto the affected area for two minutes at each application and repeated every 2-3 hours until symptoms are gone. soothe was evaluated by 20 consultants in 115 cases. This product received an 88% clinical rating.
Product Features
soothe is packaged with syringes of material and brief instructions. Written instructions are to rub the desensitizer onto the teeth. The written instructions are minimal, and more detailed directions with photos showing usage both in the office and at home were suggested. Consultants and patients found it easy to apply with a brush. The viscosity of the gel is low and ends to run out of bleaching tray. The need for repeated applications, each with a two-minute rub, was reported as time-consuming. Sixty-six percent of consultants found soothe to be equivalent to or better than their current topical desensitizer. Forty percent of the evaluators would switch to soothe and 50% would recommend it to colleagues.
Clinical Tips
- Dispense from the syringe slowly as the gel will flow easily.
- Use a fiber-tipped applicator to apply in the office.
- Dry the teeth with gauze before application so the gel will stay in place.
