Young female technician looking into microscope in medical laboratory

Pro-Argin® Technology Mode Of Action

Reading time: 3 minutes

Pro Argin® Toothpaste Efficacy - Docimo et al | Colgate® Professional

Learn about the efficacy of Colgate® Pro-Argin Technology in toothpastes and get the latest informative, evidence-based articles for dental professionals.
Half of sensitivity sufferers don’t report their pain

Read about the frequency of patient reports of discomfort in tooth sensitivity and get the latest informative, evidence-based articles for dental professionals.
Colgate Sensitive Instant Relief Toothpaste Efficacy - Nathoo et al | Colgate® Professional

Learn about the efficacy of Colgate® Sensitive Instant Relief and get informative, evidence-based articles on topics from products, to patient education and more.
Colgate – reimagining a healthier future for all

Colgate has joined forces with social enterprise Change Please Coffee to help make essential dental services available to people facing homelessness.
Colgate x Change Please: Driving for change

Colgate has joined forces with social enterprise Change Please Coffee to help make essential dental services available to people facing homelessness.
Pro-Argin® Technology Mode Of Action

Learn about the mode of action for Colgate® Pro Argin® Technology and get the latest informative, evidence-based articles for dental professionals.

Hypersensitivity - A source of stress in the dental practice

Tooth sensitivity affects many patients

Up to 57% of adults experience tooth sensitivity at some point1
Patients between the ages of 20 and 50 are most affected1

Exposed dentine is the main cause of dentine hypersensitivity

Gingival recession or enamel abrasion are two key ways by which dentine is exposed in the cervical region of a tooth
External stimuli such as cold, heat, acid or pressure can cause fluid movements in the dentine tubules, causing pulp nerve stimulation and can be perceived as pain or discomfort2, 3

Dentine hypersensitivity during dental treatment is a widespread problem

Data from the UK reveals about 20% of the patients suffer from dentine hypersensitivity during or after professional scaling4

Patients discomfort during dental procedures can create a stressful environment

In severe cases, the use of local anaesthesia may be required
Dentine hypersensitivity may lead patients to avoid dental visits, negatively impacting their overall oral health

1 Addy M. Dentine hypersensitivity: new perspectives on an old problem. Int Dent J 2002; 52(Suppl 5): 367-375.

2 Brännström M: A hydrodynamic mechanism in the transmission of pain-produced stimuli through the dentine. In: Sensory mechanisms in dentine. Anderson DJ. ed. pp73-79, Pergamon Press, London, 1963.

3 Brännström M, Johnson G: Movements of the dentine and pulp liquids on application of thermal stimuli. Acta Odontol Scand 1970; 28: 59-65.

4 Market research data on file; Colgate-Palmolive, June 2008.

Dentine Hypersensitivity and desensitising treatments

How do desensitising products work?

Sensitive toothpastes containing potassium salts work by blocking the perception of pain. This can take time, and has no impact on the exposed open dentine tubules.
Current professional desensitising products work by occluding tubules and result in fast, effective and lasting relief. However, these products often contain chemicals such as glutaraldehyde and acrylates and /or tooth etching procedures.

Dental professionals need a pleasant and easy to apply solution for their patients with dentine hypersensitivity which delivers instant, effective and lasting relief.

Pro-Argin® Technology: a unique solution for safe and effective dentine hypersensitivity treatment

Arginine is an amino acid naturally found in saliva

The key components of Pro-Argin® Technology are arginine and calcium. Arginine is a natural component of saliva,1 and delivers protective benefits

Pro-Argin® Technology is different

Pro-Argin® Technology with arginine is different from other desensitising technologies providing instant and long lasting relief based on a natural process of dentine tubule occlusion.

1 Kleinberg I. SensiStat, a new saliva-based composition for simple and effective treatment of dentinal sensitivity pain. Dentistry Today December 2002; 21: 42-47.

Pro-Argin® Technology for instant and long lasting sensitivity relief

Pro-Argin® Technology occludes dentine tubules to remove the cause of pain

Latest research suggests positively charged arginine molecules bind to the negatively charged surface of dentine. They help to form attracting calcium to form a calcium-rich mineral layer on the dentine surface, occluding dentine tubules. Occluding the tubules reduces exposure to external stimuli and prevents fluid movement within the tubules which is the cause of pain and discomfort. This surface layer also resists acid attacks by common food and drinks, providing lasting sensitivity relief.