19. DENTAL PRODUCTS

Introduction to Dental Products

Dental products are preparations mainly used for cleaning, protecting, and treating the teeth. These products help maintain oral hygiene and prevent dental diseases such as cavities and gum disorders.

Dentifrices are substances specially prepared for cleaning the surfaces of the teeth. They are available in various forms like toothpaste, tooth powders, gels, mouthwashes, chewing gums, and denture cleaning agents.

Important Definitions

  • Abrasive: A solid material added to dentifrices to help mechanically remove plaque, stains, and debris from tooth surfaces.
  • Anticaries Drug: A compound that prevents or treats dental cavities (tooth decay).
  • Dental Caries: A bacterial disease that destroys tooth enamel and dentine by demineralization and acid attack.
  • Dentifrice: A formulation (paste, gel, or powder) containing abrasives and often anticaries agents for cleaning teeth.
  • Fluoride: The inorganic form of fluorine, often used in preventing cavities.
  • Fluoride Ion: The negatively charged ion of fluorine responsible for strengthening tooth enamel.

Abrasives in Dentifrices

Abrasives are substances used for cleaning and polishing teeth. Their abrasivity depends on their hardness, particle shape, and concentration in the toothpaste. Ideally, they should be hard enough to remove stains but not damage enamel.

  • Common abrasives include hydrated silica, alumina, and calcium carbonate.
  • Transparent (gel) toothpastes are made using finely divided abrasives.
  • The abrasiveness of toothpaste is measured by the RDA (Radioactive Dentine Abrasion) scale, typically ranging between 40–80.

Cleaning Agents or Dentifrices

Dentifrices are powders or pastes used for cleaning teeth, applied using a toothbrush. They remove stains and food particles, improving oral hygiene. However, they cannot reach deep crevices or cavities.

  • Common cleaning agents include dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and sodium metaphosphate.
  • Medicated dentifrices contain therapeutic agents like fluoride for added benefits.
  • Flavors and colors improve user acceptance and make the product pleasant to use.

Dental Caries and Anticaries Agents

Dental caries result from bacterial activity that produces acids, leading to demineralization of tooth enamel (mainly composed of hydroxyapatite crystals). To prevent caries, compounds containing fluoride are used because fluoride ions strengthen the enamel.

1. Sodium Fluoride (NaF)

Molecular Formula: NaF
Molecular Weight: 41.99

  • Preparation: Formed by reacting hydrofluoric acid with sodium carbonate. The resulting sodium fluoride is purified by removing fluorosilicates and acid residues.
  • Assay: Determined by non-aqueous titration using perchloric acid and crystal violet as an indicator.
  • Uses:
    • Used as a preventive for dental caries (topical and systemic).
    • Commonly applied as a 2% solution on teeth or added to drinking water (0.7–1.3 ppm fluoride).
    • Fluoride ions integrate into enamel and enhance resistance to decay.

2. Stannous Fluoride (SnF₂)

Molecular Formula: SnF₂
Molecular Weight: 156.69

  • Preparation: Produced by heating stannous oxide (SnO) with hydrofluoric acid in the absence of oxygen.
  • Assay: Measured using a fluoride-specific ion electrode and a pH meter to determine fluoride ion concentration.
  • Uses:
    • Effective anticaries agent.
    • Applied as an 8% solution every 6–12 months for preventive dental care.

3. Zinc Chloride (ZnCl₂)

Molecular Formula: ZnCl₂
Molecular Weight: 136.29

  • Properties: White crystalline, deliquescent powder, soluble in water.
  • Preparation: Obtained by reacting zinc metal with hydrochloric acid and evaporating the resulting solution.
  • Assay: Conducted by complexometric titration using disodium EDTA and eriochrome black T as indicator.
  • Uses:
    • Used as an astringent and antiseptic (0.5–2% solution).
    • Employed in mouthwashes and dentin desensitizers (10% solution).
    • Used in magnesia cement for dental fillings.

4. Calcium Carbonate (Precipitated Chalk)

Molecular Formula: CaCO₃
Molecular Weight: 100.1

  • Preparation: Produced by reacting calcium chloride with sodium carbonate; the precipitated chalk is washed and dried.
  • Assay: Complexometric titration using disodium EDTA and calcon indicator.
  • Uses: Acts as a mild abrasive and polishing agent in toothpaste and tooth powders.

5. Dibasic Calcium Phosphate (Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate)

Molecular Formula: CaHPO₄ (Anhydrous) / CaHPO₄·2H₂O (Dihydrate)

  • Preparation: Made by reacting calcium chloride with disodium hydrogen phosphate.
  • Uses:
    • Provides calcium and phosphorus for bone and tooth growth.
    • Used externally as a dentifrice due to its mild abrasive nature.

Zinc Eugenol Dental Cement

Zinc Eugenol Cement (also known as Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement or ZOE) is a popular dental restorative material. It is made by mixing zinc oxide with eugenol, forming a zinc eugenolate chelate compound.

Properties and Applications:

  • Has soothing (sedative) and antibacterial properties.
  • Used for temporary fillings, cement bases, gingival dressings, and impression materials.
  • Acts as a pain reliever in deep cavities and reduces inflammation of the pulp.

Composition:

  • Zinc oxide (~69%)
  • White rosin (~29%)
  • Zinc acetate (~1%) – for strength
  • Zinc stearate (~0.7%) – as accelerator
  • Liquid: Eugenol (~85%), Olive oil (~15%)

Note: Oil of cloves (rich in eugenol) is often used because it causes less burning sensation. Rosin improves consistency and smoothness.

Types of ZOE Cements (ANSI/ADA Specification No. 30):

  • Type I – Temporary ZOE Luting Cement
  • Type II – Long-term ZOE Luting Cement
  • Type III – Temporary ZOE Restoration
  • Type IV – Intermediate ZOE Restoration

Detailed Notes:

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