Newly Published Clinical Study by UTHealth Demonstrates that Venus White® Pro by Heraeus Whitens Teeth up to 8.4 Shades with Virtually No Sensitivity

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Heraeus Kulzer, LLC, the leader in advancing dental esthetics and overall dental wellbeing, announced today the results of a new study that demonstrates that Venus White® Pro whitens teeth up to 8.4 shades with virtually no sensitivity. The results of the full clinical study will be presented during the International Association of Dental Research meeting, March 14 – 19, 2011.

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The study, conducted by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), was designed to evaluate the efficacy and color rebound effect of commercially available 22% carbamide peroxide (CP) Venus White® Pro at-home whitening system. The study also evaluated the sensitivity of Venus White® Pro.

A random selection of patient participants with no history of previous tooth whitening was recruited for the study. Subjects were treated nightly for two weeks with a maxillary custom tray containing Venus White® Pro with 22% carbamide peroxide and 3% potassium nitrate.

Conclusions

Whitening: Visual and instrumental measurements evaluation conclusively showed clinical whitening up to 8.4 times one week post bleaching. In general, color stabilized at two weeks post bleaching.

Sensitivity: On the sensitivity test, patients reported very low sensitivity levels with a mean value of "below 2" on a scale of 0-10, with zero representing no pain and 10 representing worst possible pain.

The study with UTHealth is part of Heraeus' ongoing research and development effort. The Company routinely collaborates with independent researchers and dental health care professionals at leading research universities and academic dental institutions to learn more treatment approaches as well as the efficacy of its products. "Our overriding goal for all Heraeus products is safety and effectiveness," says Christopher Holden, President of Heraeus Kulzer. "Our work isn't finished after a product is on the market. We continue to invest in controlled clinical studies, like the one with UTHealth, to make certain that our products and treatments are safe and effective and have the maximum positive impact on patients," he adds.

A copy of the complete clinical study abstract is available online at www.SmileByVenus.com. For more information on Heraeus, call (800) 431-1785 or visit www.heraeusdentalusa.com.

About Venus White® Pro

Venus White® Pro by Heraeus is a mint-flavored take-home whitening system for custom-made trays. It is available only through a dentist and offered in 16%, 22%, and 35% carbamide peroxide strengths. It also contains potassium nitrate which helps reduce sensitivity associated with whitening.

Heraeus donates a percentage of every sale of Venus White® Pro to support breast cancer research.

About the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)

As a comprehensive health science university, the mission of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is to educate health science professionals, discover and translate advances in the biomedical and social sciences, and model the best practices in clinical care and public health.

About Heraeus

Heraeus, the precious metals and technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a global, private company with over 155 years of tradition. Our businesses include dental products and biomaterials, precious metals, sensors, quartz glass, and specialty lighting sources. With product revenues approaching euro 2.6 billion and precious metal trading revenues of euro 13.6 billion, as well as more than 12,300 employees in more than 110 companies worldwide, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets.

About Heraeus Dental

The Heraeus Kulzer Dental Division aspires to deliver unparalleled innovation and exceptional products that deliver ultimate value to both dental practitioners and laboratories. While product safety and efficacy are always our main goals, we also aim to create value-based products that unlock new levels of productivity in dental practices and dental laboratories. Interrelated products including the Venus brand of low stress composites, Venus White, Flexitime, Gluma and iBond offer exceptional diagnosis, treatment, and restorative care.

Heraeus also collaborates with health care providers, researchers and academic institutions to support community wellbeing and overall oral health. To that end, Heraeus is a corporate supporter of the National Children's Oral Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides access to care for thousands of underserved children, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

SOURCE Heraeus