Twelve dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of ProGinicin, rating such features as ability to ease discomfort, ease of use, and patient reaction.

Ability to Ease Discomfort

The evaluators were asked to rate ProGinicin’s ability to ease both procedural-related discomfort and discomfort associated with oral lesions. Seven dentists rated its ability to ease post-procedural discomfort as very good and 4 rated it as good ( 1 evaluator did not rate this item). A Pennsylvania dentist with a large practice reported “no significant patient-reported difference versus doing nothing or using warm saline rinses,” and a Texas restorative/cosmetic dentist reported “mostly positive patient feedback.” Another dentist said it “eased discomfort within 24 hours,” and a prosthodontist reported that his patients “felt relief almost immediately.”

Ability to ease discomfort related to an oral lesion was rated as excellent by 2 evaluators, as very good by 5, and as good by 4. Comments ranged from “slight improvement but didn’t last very long” to “they felt relief almost immediately” and “most patients noted a rapid recovery.” A Manchester, NH dentist in practice for 27 years said it “instantly stopped the burning of one patient’s apthous ulcer.”

Ease of Use

Instructions for the use of ProGinicin include steps for use after dental procedures, for use with cold sores, and in cases of gingivitis. To apply at the conclusion of a dental procedure, use the ProGinicin applicator to directly apply enough product to cover the affected area and leave it on for 2 minutes. The patient may spit but should not rinse, and gauze or swabs should not be used to apply or wipe off excess product. A take-home application can be used to speed healing and to reduce pain, inflammation, and infection. Application for pre- and posteruption cold sores is followed by gentle massage. For gingivitis, patients may be instructed to gently brush the affected areas with 3 to 4 drops of ProGinicin 3 to 4 times daily using a super-soft bristle toothbrush.

Ease of use was rated as very good by 8 evaluators and as good by 4. One evaluator said the cannula “helped in placement but [ProGinicin] is thin and a little difficult to stay in place.” Another dentist found the applicator to be short. He suggested that “loading it into a larger syringe with a brush tip would be better and would provide easier access to difficult sites.” A general dentist with 26 years of experience found ProGinicin “easy to use,” and another evaluator in practice for 13 years called it “not only conveniently packaged but also easy to apply.”

Patient Reaction

ProGinicin is formulated to quickly ease gingival soreness without staining, stinging, or unpleasant taste or odor. The manufacturer states that no adverse effects or negative reactions have been reported in more than 2 years of use.

Patient reaction to ProGinicin was rated as excellent by 3 evaluators, as very good by 5, and as good by 4. One evaluator said, “Patient reaction seemed fairly neutral. I expected them to be more excited about making lesions feel better and go away more quickly,” and another evaluator said “some [patients] were positive and some weren’t sure it helped.” One dentist said his patients “felt the applicator tip was difficult to use…hard to control the amount dispensed.” The same evaluator noted that his patients “seem to prefer medications they can ‘feel,’ such as those with a pasty consistency.” A general practitioner reported “good patient acceptance,” and another evaluator said ProGinicin “felt soothing…no bad taste.”

Overall Satisfaction

When asked about their overall satisfaction with ProGinicin, 1 evaluator rated it as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, 4 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair. Ten evaluators said they would definitely or probably recommend the product to colleagues, and 9 said they would definitely or probably purchase it. One evaluator reported that “patients who gave positive feedback felt it helped considerably.” “The product really works,” said a Texas prosthodontist. “One patient’s lip lesion was completely healed after 2 days of application.”