How is BioMin® different from NovaMin®?

NovaMin^® was the first bioactive glass to be included in toothpastes in the late 1990’s.

NovaMin^® is now the active ingredient of Sensodyne^® Repair and Protect. NovaMin^® delivers Calcium and Phosphate to form Hydroxyapatite however it contains no Fluoride in the glass and therefore requires the addition of soluble Fluoride in the formulation process of the toothpaste.

BioMin^® F contains Calcium and Phosphate but also has Fluoride within the glass rather than as a soluble addition; this allows longer term delivery of Fluoride. The ratio of these three ions reflects the molecular stoichiometry of Fluorapatite and so the Phosphate concentration is 3 times that of NovaMin^®.

This optimises the rate of development of apatite.

The image below shows the soluble Fluoride decrease (light blue dots) over time. Compared to the Fluoride release of BioMin^® F toothpaste over the same time period (green line).

The particle size of BioMin^® is also smaller than NovaMin^® which allows greater physical occlusion of open dentine tubules and also to be less abrasive.

Novamin^® and Sensodyne^® are both registered trademarks of GlaxoSmithKlinePLC (GSK).