title: Mode of action studies on a new desensitizing dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, a high cleaning calcium carbonate system and 1450 ppm fluoride.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the mode of action of a new Pro-Argin formula desensitizing dentifrice with a gentle whitening benefit containing 8.0% arginine, a high cleaning calcium carbonate system and sodium monofluorophosphate, utilizing a range of state-of-the-art surface techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess tubule occlusion. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) was used to identify the composition of the occlusive material. CLSM was also used to identify the location of the arginine within the occluded dentin tubule and to demonstrate the resistance of the occlusion to an acid challenge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CLSM and SEM studies demonstrated that the arginine-calcium carbonate technology in this new Pro-Argin formula sensitivity dentifrice was highly effective in occluding dentin tubules. ESCA showed that the dentin surface deposit contained high levels of calcium, phosphorous, oxygen and carbonate. CLSM also confirmed that the arginine incorporated into the dentin plug, and the dentin plug resisted an acid challenge.
authors.affiliation: Colgate Palmolive Technology Center, 909 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1343, USA.
authors.forename: Stacey Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lavender
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Petrou
authors.forename: Rodman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heu
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stranick
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: Latonya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kilpatrick-Liverman
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: R Peter
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Santarpia
mesh_terms: D001120:Arginine; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019234:Dentinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology; D005459:Fluorides; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010710:Phosphates; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
chemical_list: D003802:Dentifrices; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; D010710:Phosphates; C012980:fluorophosphate; D001120:Arginine; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D005459:Fluorides