Future Strategies for the Development of Desensitizing Products

Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a clinical problem that may impact on the quality of life of individuals who experience discomfort when eating and drinking hot and cold food and drink during their day-to-day activities. Currently, there is no ideal desensitizing product (Over the counter [toothpaste, gel or mouthwash] or dentist applied) that provides both fast acting and long-lasting protection against the pain associated with DH. Currently, toothpastes, gels and mouthwashes are designed to reduce or relieve pain arising from DH based on either their (1) tubular occluding components (e.g., silica, calcium carbonate, various apatites, oxalates or bioactive glass) or (2) nerve desensitization properties (e.g., potassium ions) based on the hydrodynamic theory (see Chap. 5 ). Several novel products have either been reformulated from existing products or developed as biomimetic materials as an alternative to the traditional desensitizing products for treating DH, inhibiting caries and promoting remineralization. This chapter will focus attention on the physical and chemical properties of both traditional and novel products recommended for the treatment of DH as well as introducing more recent advances into the development of biomimetic products for the treatment of DH.