After Whitening (Bleaching) Tooth Sensitivity – AcquaSeal™ Frequently Asked Questions

AcquaSeal™ desensitizing swabs and liquid formulas are safe and effective for treating and preventing discomfort after tooth whitening. Bleaching can cause tooth sensitivity and pain for patients despite good oral health and professional care. If your patients suffer from after whitening (bleaching) tooth sensitivity, find out how AcquaSeal™ can benefit your practice by reading our frequently asked questions.

How does AcquaSeal™ work, chemically?

The chemical behavior of AcquaSeal™ is different when used alone (A) and when used in conjunction with primers (B).

A - When using AcquaSeal™ alone, HEMA serves as a water carrier because it is a hydrophilic monomer. The HEMA carries benzalkonium chloride (BzCl) and sodium fluoride (NaF) to collagen fibers. When applied solo, the AcquaSeal™ travels into the dentin to form a physiological barrier. When the HEMA reaches the collagen fibers, it stands them up and strengthens them. Theories posit that a gelling action then takes place. A physiological barrier results from the ingredients cross-linking with the collagen, and effects last up to six to nine months.

(Note: AcquaSeal™ alone does not have enough filler to go sufficiently into dentinal tubules and be considered a hybrid layer.)

B - When using AcquaSeal™ in conjunction with primers, its chemical function changes. See below.

How do the different ingredients in AcquaSeal™ work with acetone, ethanol, and water-based primers?

When bonding a restoration, in order to form the desired resin-reinforced dentin (also known as the hybrid layer), the material in the primer must be a combination of primer and solvent carrier (acetone or ethanol).

HEMA-based monomer is the core ingredient in fourth- and fifth-generation primers, for which solvent carriers are the “water chasers.” Today’s primers contain acetone (most effective), ethanol (second best), or water as the solvent carrier. Water-based primers have some type of alcohol additive to help them chase the water inside the dentin.

Although it may be most effective, acetone evaporates most rapidly, which has been shown to weaken the primer. Without an adequate carrier, there is little chance that the materials will enter far enough into the dentin tubules to create a layer of resin-reinforced dentin.

When using AcquaSeal™ with primers, the HEMA works with the other ingredients in the primer. In this case, it is not the carrier; rather, it works with ingredients in the primers, which are carried down into the tubules of the dentin by the solvent carrier. In the presence of the water-chasing solvent carrier, HEMA is carried along with other ingredients in primers.

The compounds inside AcquaSeal™ result in a better wetting action on the dentin and increased penetration and seal in the tubules. The more hydrophilic a material is, the better chance it will bond with the dentin, which is naturally wet.

If the ethanol/acetone/water solvent carrier has evaporated, HEMA will step up and become the carrier. The fact that HEMA is a hydrophilic monomer with low molecular weight makes it a viable carrier of resin materials deep into the dentin.

As a result, when used with primers, AcquaSeal™ helps to create that resin-reinforced zone. It acts as an insurance policy against the risk of evaporation, and a wetting agent which solves the common quandary of “How wet is wet?” When used as a wetting agent with primers, AcquaSeal™ takes the guess work out of the procedure.

What exactly happens within the dentin?

When used alone, AcquaSeal™ works to form a physiological barrier, when ingredients cross-link with the collagen. When used with primers, AcquaSeal™ helps to carry materials down into the dentin to create the resin-reinforced dentin known as the hybrid layer. This layer serves as a permanent barrier, protecting the tubules from outside stimuli such as heat, cold, or sweets that cause after whitening and bleaching tooth sensitivity. This hybrid layer also prevents micro-leakage that ultimately leads to bond failure.

AcquaSeal™ does not have a film thickness; its contents are carried inside the dentinal tubules where they polymerize.

What are the benefits of a wetting agent?

AcquaSeal™ is an effective wetting agent because it helps to reduce surface tension during bonding by wetting the surface, which re-mineralizes the etched dentin to restructure the collagen matrix within the dentin. The collagen fibers are stiffened, tubules are opened and unblocked to create better penetration for the primers. Better penetration of the primers in bonding is beneficial for a solid hybrid layer.

Will AcquaSeal™ impede the chemistry for my bonding agents and block their ability to perform?

AcquaSeal™ contains HEMA, a base monomer in primers, unfilled resins, and composites. HEMA is compatible with all NTG-GMA or NPG-GMA. It is also compatible with the B part of the primer BPDM or PMDM and can be carried effectively in either acetone or ethanol.

If the hybrid layer is formed from the bottom up, will the water in AcquaSeal™ pose difficulty in the bonding process?

The water present in HEMA based desensitizers will follow the solvent carriers to the bottom of the tooth toward the pulp. Because the hybrid layer is a zone of resin-reinforced dentin, it allows for some movement.

Does the surface need to be etched before AcquaSeal™ can be used?

AcquaSeal™ is a versatile dental material that can be used on non-etched surfaces such as cervical erosion, areas of cervical recession, and root exposure for up to nine months to relieve after bleaching and whitening tooth sensitivity.

Contact Us for More Information

To learn more about AcquaSeal™ for after whitening and bleaching tooth sensitivity, or to place an order, contact AcquaMed™ Technologies Inc.

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