FAQ
Please find below relevant and common questions about Labrida BioClean®. If you do not find the answer to your question, we are happy to assist you. Contact us.
What is LABRIDA BioClean®?
LABRIDA BioClean® is a dental instrument with a working end made of chitosan attached to a stainless steel stem covered with polypropylene. This product is used in an oscillating dental handpiece. The recommended rotation speed is 600 – 1000 rpm. As an oscillating handpiece LABRIDA recommends NSK ER10, with head TEQ–Y.
Shall LABRIDA BioClean® be used wet or dry?
Labrida BioClean® must be soaked in sterile saline for at least 2 minutes prior to use. This makes the chitosan fibres swell, and they become soft and flexible, leading to optimal strength. The soft chitosan fibres make the brush a gentle treatment method.
Can LABRIDA BioClean® be used more than once?
Labrida BioClean® is a disposable implant cleaning device. The instrument cannot be resterilised and used a second time.
What are the advantages of LABRIDA BioClean®?
Labrida BioClean® allows for effective cleaning of dental implants and teeth without damaging the surface. The Labrida BioClean® chitosan brush is gentle on tissue and does not leave residue that may induce a foreign body inflammatory reaction. The polypropylene covering of the stem protects against damage or discoloration of the prosthetic supra construction. Many patients experience less pain during the treatment. This may increase patient compliance.
What are the indications for LABRIDA BioClean®?
Labrida BioClean® is designed for cleaning of osseointegrated dental implants and/or teeth (pockets ≥4mm). Labrida BioClean® is no replacement for surgery but is approved for intrasurgical use. Maintenance of dental implants and teeth is key for reducing the risk for peri-implantitis and periodontitis, respectively, and the need for surgery. The device is for professional use by dentists and dental hygienists only and is to be used in an oscillating dental drill piece. Labrida BioClean® is a sterile, single use device.
Is chitosan allergenic, being derived from shellfish (shrimps)?
Chitosan is non-allergenic. It is chemically modified and not considered to be animally derived. Thus, Labrida BioClean® can be used in patients with shellfish allergy.
How often should maintenance treatment with Labrida BioClean® be performed?
It is recommended that maintenance treatment is performed 2 – 4 times per year. If Bleeding on Probing occurs, the brush should be used, and the patient scheduled for control after three months. Hygiene instructions should be given on an “as needed” basis. Infection control is of utmost importance. Verify access for approximal measures of dental hygiene (i.e., brushes or floss).
Why cannot Labrida Bioclean® be used in a rotating handpiece?
The brush is difficult to control in a rotating handpiece, and too high rotation speed may lead to breakage of the brush between the polypropylene stem and the mandrel. The oscillating handpiece has been used in our clinical studies with positive clinical outcome. Using an oscillating handpiece also makes access easier below over contoured crowns and bridges.The brush is easier to maneuver in the pocket and the chitosan fibers last longer.
Can Labrida BioClean® be used on patients with periodontitis?
Yes, Labrida BioClean® can be used on patients with periodontitis. Periodontitis is included in Labrida BioClean® ’s indications (pockets ≥ 4 mm).
Can Labrida BioClean® be soaked in solutions like H2O2, chlorhexidine, tetracycline and similar?
The brush can be soaked in any of the said solutions or corresponding ones. NOTE! Labrida has not performed any studies where the effect of these disinfectants has been investigated.
Can the steel wire cause any damage?
We have not seen any damage caused by the steel wire. It is covered by the chitosan fibres, which, after being soaked in sterile saline, swell and cover the wire and its tip. The wire is flexible and will adjust if necessary.
What happens to the chitosan fibres that come off during the treatment?
Chitosan is resorbable and will disappear if left in the implant pocket. Thus, it will not cause a foreign body reaction. Chitosan is also reported to be 100% biocompatible.
What is Chitosan?
Chitosan, which is a polysaccharide, is a highly purified animal derivative. The chitosan is produced by deacetylation of chitin, the hard component in crustaceans, such as shrimp shells. Chitin is extracted from chitin containing structures, followed by further processing in form of a deacetylation, to transfer the chitin into chitosan. Several steps remove both protein – and lipid-based structures.
Where is the Chitosan harvested and the brush produced?
The shrimps are harvested in the ocean outside the North of Norway, and the brush is produced at Chitinor (Tromsø, Norway). Chitinor is Labrida’s supplier of chitosan.shrimps.
How is shellfish converted to Chitosan and a brush?
Chitosan is produced commercially by deacetylation of chitin, which is the structural element in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, such as shrimps. The chitosan is produced as long threads, twisted on coils and finally spun into brushes.
What is the relevance of non-allergenic?
Chitosan is documented to be non-allergenic, - this means that Labrida BioClean® also can be used on patients having a shellfish allergy. Chitosan will not cause an allergic reaction. Chitosan is chemically modified and not even considered to be animally derived.
Can Labrida BioClean® be used on patients who have shellfish allergy?
Yes, the brush can be used on patients who have shellfish allergy. Chitosan will not cause an allergic reaction. Chitosan is chemically modified and not considered to be animally derived.
What is polypropylene?
Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications. Polypropylene Plastic is one of the most versatile types of plastics.
What is the relevance of degrading chitosan and the stem being covered with polypropylene?
Labrida BioClean® is a dental brush with a working end made of degrading chitosan attached to a stainless-steel stem covered with polypropylene. Chitosan has multiple well documented properties which makes this biomaterial optimal for implant supportive care. Chitosan is biocompatible and resorbable. Any fibers left in the peri-implant pocket will disappear and not cause any foreign body reaction. The polypropylene covering of the stem protects against damage or discoloration of the prosthetic supra construction.
How long is the resorption time of Chitosan bristle?
In a slightly acidic environment, the chitosan dissolves within hours. Should the pH in the implant pocket be less acidic, it may take days. Regardless of resorption time, the chitosan fibres will not cause any damage as they are 100% biocompatible.
What is the relevance of bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory properties?
Chitosan has documented bacteriostatic (capable of inhibiting the growth or reproduction of bacteria) and anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation or swelling) properties. Labrida has not studied these properties of chitosan, specifically. Our clinical studies show that using Labrida Bioclean® for maintenance of dental implants significantly reduces the clinical signs of inflammation.
Is Labrida BioClean® a safe product?
Labrida BioClean® is a safe product. This is well documented in Labrida’s Risk Analysis, and also shown in an animal study (Villa et al. Suture materials affect peri-implant bone healing and implant osseointegration, J Oral Sci. 2015 Sep;57 (3):219-27) and in four clinical studies. The brush has now been used in more than 60 000 treatments, and no harm has been reported.
Can Labrida BioClean® be used dry?
No, Labrida BioClean® cannot be used dry. The brush must be soaked in sterile saline for at least 2 minutes. This makes the chitosan fibres swell, they get soft and flexible and obtain optimal strength.The brush has now been used in more than 60 000 treatments, and no harm has been reported.
What is the shelf life?
The shelf life of Labrida BioClean® is three years
Is Labrida BioClean® registered globally?
Labrida BioClean® is currently available in countries which accept the CE mark.
Labrida AS
Labrida’s headquarter is located in the heart of Oslo. Our address is: Slemdalsveien 1, 0369 Oslo, Norway.
Labrida BioClean® in action!
Labrida BioClean® Demonstration Video
Labrida BioClean in action
Scientific documentation
Kahn et al. 2022. Non-surgical treatment of mild to moderate peri-implantitis using an oscillating chitosan brush or a titanium curette—A randomized multicentre controlled clinical trial.
Hussain et al. 2021. Treatment of residual pockets using an oscillating chitosan device versus regular curettes alone. A randomized, feasibility parallel-arm clinical trial.
Dr. Caspar Wohlfahrt et al. 2018. Department of Periodontology, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Oslo. Treatment of peri‐implant mucositis with a chitosan brush – A pilot randomized clinical trial. (PDF).
Dr. Caspar Wohlfahrt et al. 2017. International Journal of Implant Dentistry. A novel non surgical method form mild periimplantitis- a multicenter consecutive case series. (PDF).
Dr. Caspar Wohlfahrt et al. 2013. Paper for EAO 2013 Dublin. Treatment of peri-implant mucositis using a resorbable chitosan brush –a pilot clinical study.
Labrida BioClean® – Studies in short
