GSK launches breakthrough dental repair formulation

The Sensodyne Repair & Protect is the first fluoride toothpaste to contain the NovaMin technology and will be released in over 50 European and International markets during 2011.

Dr Teresa Layer, vice-president, Oral Healthcare R&D Future Teams, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare said, “Sensodyne Repair & Protect is a technological advance in everyday dental care. With twice daily brushing it helps to continuously repair exposed dentine and provides substantive protection from sensitivity.”​

Continually repair and protect​

The NovaMin technology is scientifically proven to repair sensitive teeth by forming a tooth-like layer over exposed dentine to help continually repair and protect sensitive areas, according to GSK.

Professor David Bartlett explained, “Tooth sensitivity is caused when the dentine is exposed. This dentine that makes up most of the tooth is porous, with thousands of tiny channels running through it to a nerve in the centre.”​

“A layer of hard enamel on the crown of a tooth protects the underlying dentine, but if this dentine is exposed, a tooth can become sensitive and vulnerable.”​

Stimulates bone regeneration​

NovaMin technology was originally developed to help stimulate bone regeneration, which seeks out the areas of teeth that are sensitive. The technology forms a tooth-like layer over exposed dentine which is approximately 50 per cent harder than healthy dentine, helping to continually repair and protect.

NovaMin reacts rapidly with water, so GSK claimed the challenge was to develop a non-water based formula that could be used in everyday fluoride-based toothpaste.

Once exposed to water or saliva, NovaMin releases calcium and phosphate ions, which are the building blocks for teeth that are naturally attracted to exposed dentine.

These ions bind themselves to the collagen in the exposed dentine, and from first use, begin to form a protective mineral layer that mimics the tooth’s natural composition.