Benchmark: Heraeus' Gluma PowerGel

With the same proven efficacy as Gluma® Desensitizer, Gluma® Desensitizer PowerGel is a one-step gel formula desensitizer that allows for greater control and accuracy during application. Its green-color indicator provides visual ease of placement and rinse-clean capability. The gel can be used with all bonding and restorative materials, in any situation and provides control and accuracy during placement. Featuring a no-drip formula, it stays where placed, minimizing contact with soft tissues.
heraeus • heraeus-dental-us.com

The CPS Evaluation Team Members who combine product review for the whole team and consists of dentists, assistants, hygienists, front desk associates and the dental laboratory, each received a kit that contained 4 Gluma PowerGel syringes and a bag of tips. CPS produced the following comments and reviews following its evaluation.

DENTIST COMMENTS

• “This product should be promoted to be part of every bonding procedure to virtually eliminate sensitivity.”

• “Make the instructions pictures larger. My eyes are not good at small print, like a lot of older dentists. Really hard to see the directions because the images are so small.”

• “I don’t seem to have a problem with sensitive teeth due to restorative techniques. It is a very useful formulation for cervical sensitivity.”

ASSISTANT COMMENTS

• “The tips seem to expel excess product-maybe use a smaller tip?”

• “We use this product before all in-office whitening procedures.”

• “It worked quickly and the gel consistency of the product was easy to work with and keep in the target area.”

• “No question that I would rather use a gel as you have more control, no waste as the amount you want is dispensed from the syringe vs. drops in a dampen dish. The color allows you to see that after it’s rinsed there is no residual gel.”

HYGIENIST COMMENTS

• “I am a new user but from what I see so far it is a great product.”

• “We use this product on all our patients. It is great to be able to see where it is placed.”

• “Immediate effects and decreased sensitivity.”

• “I really like the effectiveness of Glutaraldehyde, but I’m concerned about the formation of Formaldehyde as a byproduct.”

DESCRIPTION
Gluma® PowerGel is a one-step desensitizer in a gel form contained inside a syringe with brush tips.  

MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS
The manufacturer’s instructions were included in the package along with step-by-step illustrations for each of the evaluators to follow.

PACKAGING
Each evaluator received  four 1 g syringes, 20 brush cannulas and a pictorial card with detailed team instructions.

CLINICAL INDICATION
For the specific use under crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, provisionals, cervical erosion and gingival recession. Before and after whitening procedures, and all bonded procedures in elimination and to reduce pain caused by hypersensitivity in exposed cervical areas and dentin sensitivity after preparation.

EVALUATION TEAM FEEDBACK
With a review from 20 evaluation teams and used on 174 patients and more than 225 teeth, Gluma PowerGel was well received by most team members, who were very pleased and had great results while using the product. Gluma was used for multiple applications with the use in provisional and final restorative procedures reported as the top indications, with eight of the clinicians reporting they used it before and after whitening and 10 hygienists reported using it prior to scaling and root planing. Six clinicians said they had used Gluma for years, while four said prior to the evaluation they never used desensitizers. Some of the evaluators wished it did not have to be rinsed after use. One hygiene evaluator wished it had a thicker consistency while another assistant evaluator said it would be great if it came in a variety of shades. All evaluators said they liked that the gel was green to make sure it was well rinsed. CPS Team gives Gluma Power Gel a 5 Diamonds Rating.