Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duraflor Halo recommended for infants?
Duraflor has a very low ingestion level. It can be applied on infants from the time they have their first teeth. There is no recommended age to start using varnish, but many public health agencies start applying varnish as soon as teeth erupt, which would be anywhere from 6 to 9 months of age. Because of the alcohol content in the varnish, some stinging or burning is normal if a child has cuts in his or her mouth.
How should Duraflor be applied in infants and young children?
For an infant, place the child on the parent’s lap with the child’s head on the parent’s knees and the child’s legs around the parent’s waist. Position yourself knee-to-knee with the parent and treat the child from behind its head. Or, place the infant on an exam table and work from behind the head.
Is Duraflor Halo easy to apply?
Duraflor application is a one-step paint-on process that dries to a natural tooth colour. A dentist or Hygienist paints Duraflor Halo on with a small brush after the tooth is dried with air or cotton. Duraflor Halo sets on contact with saliva or moisture. Patients can leave immediately after application.
Is there a colour to Duraflor Halo?
Yes, in Canada, there is a slight yellow tint to Duraflor, which should remain on the teeth until the treatment is over.
In the U.S. – it is white – called Halo
How long should Duraflor Halo be left on teeth?
Duraflor Halo varnish should remain on teeth at least 4-6 hours for maximum effect. Patients should be advised not to eat for 30 minutes following application and to follow a soft diet and avoid hot liquids for the rest of the day. Duraflor Halo can be removed by brushing and flossing your teeth.
How long does one application of Duraflor Halo last?
Studies indicate that Duraflor Halo lasts up to 6 months. (Source: Canadian Dental Association Journal- Nov. 1990)
How many times a year should Duraflor Halo be applied?
Standard application is at three-month intervals (or 4 times a year) for high-risk children and at six-month intervals (or twice a year) for children who are not considered high risk, until they reach adulthood. Adults can also benefit from fluoride varnish treatment and can choose to continue their treatment at a slower pace, as determined in consultation with their dentist.
What are the main recommendations following a treatment with Duraflor Halo?
Do not brush or floss for at least 4-6 hours. Eat soft foods and avoid hot drinks as well as products containing alcohol (i.e., beverages, oral rinses, certain medications, etc.) during the treatment period. After the treatment period, brush and floss to remove any remaining varnish.
Are there any contraindications for the use of Duraflor Halo?
People with ulcerative gingivitis and/or stomatitis should avoid using Duraflor Halo, as should those with known allergies or reactions to colorphy (colophonium) or similar agents. Avoid ingestion during application. Duraflor should not be used as a systemic treatment. See package insert for complete instructions for use.
Are there any interactions associated with Duraflor Halo?
To avoid interactions, other fluoride preparations, such as gels or foams, should not be administered on the same day as Duraflor is applied. The routine use of fluoride tablets and rinses should be interrupted for several days after initial treatment. See package insert for complete instructions for use.
Are there any adverse reactions associated with Duraflor Halo?
Endematous swelling has been reported only in rare instances, especially after application to extensive surfaces. Dyspnea, although extremely rare, has occurred in asthmatic people. Nausea has been reported when extensive applications have been made to patients with sensitive stomachs. If required, varnish is easily removed with thorough tooth brushing and rinsing. See package insert for complete instructions.
Is a prophy cleaning necessary before applying Duraflor Halo?
No, a superficial teeth cleaning before applying Duraflor is sufficient.
Do teeth have to be kept dry while applying Duraflor Halo?
No. Teeth do not have to be kept dry while applying Duraflor because Duraflor sets immediately on contact with saliva. However, it will be easier for you to work in a dry space since your brush can also harden when it comes into contact with saliva. To make application easier, use gauze and cotton rolls to keep the area you are working in dry.
How long does a complete Duraflor Halo treatment take?
On average, treatment should take approximately 2-3 minutes for a child and 4 minutes for an adult. Tip: If inter-proximal area is tight, soak a piece of dental floss in the solution and then use it to apply the solution between the teeth to apply fluoride solution.
Duraflor is sweetened with xylitol. What is xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute. It is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as sucrose with only 2/3 of the calories.
For an adult, how many teeth does 1 unit dose of 0.5 ml of Duraflor Halo cover?
One 0.5 ml dose of Duraflor Halo should be enough to cover treatment for the full mouth.
For a child, how many teeth does 1 unit dose of 0.5 ml of Duraflor Halo cover?
One 0.5 ml dose of Duraflor should cover 2 quadrants of a child’s mouth. Remember to always apply a thin layer each time. Some manufacturers offer 0.25 ml as a pre-measured unit dose per quadrant. Medicom has chosen to offer 0.5 ml since most applications to children required at least that amount. This also minimizes packaging and the use of plastic, paper and aluminum.
What are the amount and percentage of fluoride in Duraflor Halo?
One ml of Duraflor Halo contains 50 mg of sodium fluoride (5%), 24,500 PPM (parts per million).
Does Duraflor Halo need to be refrigerated?
No. Duraflor Halo must be kept at room temperature.
Is Duraflor Halo safe to use with braces?
Yes, Duraflor Halo should be applied once brackets are in place and reapplied at 3 to 5-month intervals throughout the time the patient wears his or her braces.
Does Duraflor Halo contain peanut?
Adhering to strict manufacturing procedures and to the best of our knowledge, Duraflor Halo is peanut, tree nut, gluten, corn, soy, egg and sesame free.
Does Duraflor Halo contain dyes?
There are no dyes in Duraflor Halo.
Why is the time of the fluoride delivery so important, (3 times more in 4 hours than the competition)?
Because after the application, the patient leaves the office, and you don't have any control on how he will follow your recommendations (no hot or cold drinks, soft diet, no brushing until 4 to 6 hours after the treatment etc..). So it is important for the quality of the treatment that he gets most, if not all of the fluoride contain in the solution in the less time possible.
Who should use Duraflor Halo?
Dentists are now using fluoride varnishes as an integral part of their in-office fluoride therapy regimen.
- IN THE US - Varnishes can be use as a cavity liner or desensitizer or it can also be used on cervical areas in geriatric patients. It can be applied to tooth surfaces between teeth in young children.
- IN CANADA – Varnishes are mostly indicated to prevent caries.
How does Duraflor work?
Duraflor is a 5% Sodium Fluoride. Fluoride varnish is used all over the world as an effective and preferred fluoride treatment.
In Canada, fluoride varnishes are approved for use to prevent caries.
In the US, fluoride varnishes are indicated to relieve dental hypersensitivity; however, the ADA recognizes fluoride varnishes as an effective treatment for the prevention of caries.
Duraflor and other fluoride varnishes are used to relieve dental hypersensitivity, (when heat and cold aggravate the nerve of the tooth causing pain). By coating the dental tubules (small holes in the tooth) with Duraflor varnish, this will relieve the pain from the sensitive teeth by preventing the air from coming in contact with the nerve. Currently in the USA, FDA only recognizes fluoride varnishes as treatments to relieve sensitivity.
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