Effectiveness of arginine-containing toothpastes in treating dentine hypersensitivity: A systematic review

Objectives

To evaluate by way of a systematic review the effectiveness of arginine-containing desensitising toothpastes in comparison to control agents in reducing dentine hypersensitivity.

Data sources

Electronic databases were searched including: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS (30/03/2012). Reference lists of eligible studies and systematic reviews were cross-checked in an attempt to identify additional studies. Strategies to identify grey literature were employed.

Study selection inclusion criteria

Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs) and Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing arginine-containing desensitising toothpastes to non-arginine-containing control toothpastes.Two review authors independently screened the titles and abstracts of studies identified. Data collection forms were completed for included studies.

Outcomes

Changes in sensitivity to tactile and air-blast stimuli. A subjective assessment of sensitivity was also sought.

Conclusion

Data identified indicates a potential role for arginine-containing toothpastes in managing dentine hypersensitivity. However, this conclusion is based on small sample sizes and the studies identified did not follow patients up in the medium to long term. The authors recommend that there is a need for well-designed RCTs to be conducted prior to any definitive recommendations being made.

Clinical significance

Dentine hypersensitivity is a common condition. Its multi-factorial aetiology has led to several treatment modalities being advocated. The continued introduction of new desensitising agents suggests that no product has yet proven ultimately successful. Arginine-containing toothpastes have recently been introduced, this article systematically reviews the evidence relating to their effectiveness.     

三种脱敏剂治疗支托窝牙本质敏感症的疗效比较

目的 探讨三种牙本质脱敏剂对（牙合）支托窝牙本质过敏症疗效.方法 气吹法和数字化疼痛评判法（VAS）检测牙本质敏感患者的敏感程度.选87名共212颗牙（牙合）支托窝牙本质敏感的天然牙,随机用诺华敏（NovaMin）、极固宁（GreenTM Or）和MS Coat进行脱敏,观察连续脱敏4天后即刻、1个月、2个月和3个月的脱敏效果.比较各脱敏剂不同时段内脱敏有效率的差异.结果 脱敏结束1、2个月时,诺华敏脱敏有效率高于极固宁（P＜0.05）;3个月时MS Coat脱敏有效率高于极固宁（P＜0.05）.同一种脱敏剂不同时段比较发现,极固宁在2个月时脱敏有效率低于脱敏后即刻有效率（P＜0.05）,诺华敏在3个月时脱敏有效率低于1个月时脱敏有效率（P＜0.05）.结论 诺华敏和MS Coat脱敏效果优于极固宁;极固宁和诺华敏用于（牙合）支托窝脱敏,有必要分别在脱敏2个月和3个月后再进行脱敏治疗.     

Chemical exchange between glass-ionomer restorations and residual carious dentine in permanent molars: an in vivo study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the remineralization of carious dentine following the restoration of an extensive lesion in a permanent molar with a high strength glass-ionomer cement (GIC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen first permanent molars, which were scheduled for extraction because of the presence of extensive caries lesions, were selected for this study. They were first restored, according to the ART technique, using encapsulated Fuji IX(GP), which contains a strontium glass rather than the traditional calcium glass. The cavities were prepared with a clean enamel margin and minimal removal of the carious dentine around the walls. After a period of 1-3 months they were harvested and subsequently sectioned and examined using an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: EPMA demonstrated that both fluorine and strontium ions had penetrated deep into the underlying demineralized dentine. The only possible source of these ions was the GIC restoration. CONCLUSION: The pattern of penetration of the fluorine and strontium ions into the dentine was consistent with a remineralization process.     

Comparison between effectiveness of a low-viscosity glass ionomer and a resin-based glutaraldehyde containing primer in treating dentine hypersensitivity--a 25.2-month evaluation

OBJECTIVES: The null-hypothesis tested was; there is no difference in effectiveness between a new low-viscosity glass ionomer and a resin-based glutaraldehyde containing primer in treating hypersensitive teeth after 2 years. METHODS: Using a split-mouth design, hypersensitive teeth in 14 adult patients were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups. Hypersensitive tooth surfaces were covered with a low-viscosity glass ionomer (Fuji VII) and a resin-based glutaraldehyde containing primer (Gluma Desensitizer). The discomfort interval scale (DIS) ranging from 0 to 4 was used to test the level of hypersensitivity before and after treatment, and at 3 months using compressed air blown for 2 s, and at 1 and 25.2 months using a telephone interview. Differences between and within the treatment groups were tested using the sign rank test. RESULTS: Evaluations in the gluma group were discontinued after 3 months. The mean DIS score for hypersensitive teeth in the glass ionomer group was statistically significantly lower than that in the gluma group, immediately after application (p=0.0005), after 1 month (p=0.02) and after 3 months (p=0.003). After 3 months, 11/14 of the hypersensitive teeth in the glass ionomer group and 2/14 in the gluma group were free of sensitivity. The mean DIS score for hypersensitive teeth in the glass ionomer group remained low after 19.2 months (0.25: S.E.=0.13) and 25.2 months (0.22: S.E.=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The null-hypothesis was rejected. The low-viscosity glass ionomer (Fuji VII) is more effective in treating hypersensitive teeth than Gluma Desensitizer after 3 months. The positive treatment effect of the glass ionomer continued until 25.2 months.     

Treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity using a dentine bonding system

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Many agents have been used in treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity in the past, but dentine bonding systems have recently been suggested as being effective. This study examined the effectiveness of a dentine bonding system in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity in dental practice conditions. METHODS: Dentists in two dental practices agreed to carry out the project. One practice was in the UK, the other in India. A total of 34 patients who were diagnosed to have dentinal hypersensitivity were treated using the dentine bonding system. Patients were requested to record their perception of their pain on a 100mm linear scale, pre-treatment, one day and one week post-treatment. RESULTS: All patients experienced relief of pain, both 1 day and 1 week after treatment. Profile plots of the patients' perceived pain scores for the two practices separately indicated that there was a general trend across both practices for these to fall quite sharply one day after treatment and then generally level out one week post-treatment. There was evidence indicating a possible difference in pain perception in the two communities from which the patients were drawn. CONCLUSION: The dentine bonding system evaluated was successful in reducing the pain of dentinal hypersensitivity, at least in the short term.     

Prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity and study of associated factors: A European population-based cross-sectional study

Objectives

Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) manifests as a transient but arresting oral pain. The incidence is thought to be rising, particularly in young adults, due to increases in consumption of healthy, yet erosive, diets. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DH and relative importance of risk factors, in 18–35 year old Europeans.

Methods

In 2011, 3187 adults were enrolled from general dental practices in France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Finland, Latvia and Estonia. DH was clinically evaluated by cold air tooth stimulation, patient pain rating (yes/no), accompanied by investigator pain rating (Schiff 0–3). Erosive toothwear (BEWE index 0–3) and gingival recession (mm) were recorded. Patients completed a questionnaire regarding the nature of their DH, erosive dietary intake and toothbrushing habits.

Results

41.9% of patients reported pain on tooth stimulation and 56.8% scored ≥1 on Schiff scale for at least one tooth. Clinical elicited sensitivity was closely related to Schiff score and to a lesser degree, questionnaire reported sensitivity (26.8%), possibly reflecting the transient nature of the pain, alongside good coping mechanisms. Significant associations were found between clinically elicited DH and erosive toothwear and gingival recession. The questionnaire showed marked associations between DH and risk factors including heartburn/acid reflux, vomiting, sleeping medications, energy drinks, smoking and acid dietary intake.

Conclusion

Overall, the prevalence of DH was high compared to many published findings, with a strong, progressive relationship between DH and erosive toothwear, which is important to recognise for patient preventive therapies and clinical management of DH pain.     

In situ randomised trial investigating abrasive effects of two desensitising toothpastes on dentine with acidic challenge prior to brushing

Objectives

To determine if brushing dentine with 2 moderate RDA desensitising toothpastes, results in a significant dentine wear difference and whether this difference continues to be relevant when preceded with an erosive challenge.

Methods

An in situ, single centre, single blind, randomised, split mouth study, evaluated the difference in abrasion of 2 toothpastes (SFM - Sensodyne Fresh Mint^® RDA 70; CPHM - Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint^® RDA 120) in 28 healthy volunteers. Two toothpaste treatments were administered 3×/day, for each of the two 15 day periods, subjects wearing bi-lateral, lower buccal appliances each with 4 dentine sections. A 2 min extra-oral acidic challenge preceded toothbrushing for 2 study arms. Contact profilometry measured samples at baseline, days 5, 10 and 15.

Results

Brushing with SFM was significantly less abrasive than brushing with CPHM at all time points, with or without a preceding acidic challenge (p < 0.0001). The additional dentine loss arising from the erosive challenge prior to brushing with each paste was linear with time and independent of abrasive effect.

Conclusions

The desensiting toothpastes’ RDA, directly related to dentine loss with toothbrushing. An acidic challenge prior to brushing did not negate the benefits of reduced wear from the lower RDA paste compared to the higher RDA paste. When brushing eroded dentine, the additional wear appeared independent of abrasive effect. Dentine hypersensitivity sufferers should be recommended to use a low-moderate RDA toothpaste, not to brush more than 2×/day and not immediately following an acidic challenge.     

氟化泡沫对减轻洁治后牙本质敏感的近期效果

目的观察牙周洁治后使用氟化泡沫对减轻牙本质敏感的效果,以期为临床提供参考。方法采用随机、对照、双盲的设计。203例需要进行牙周洁治的中重度牙周炎患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组102人洁治后涂擦氟化泡沫;对照组101人洁治后涂擦相同厂家生产的不含氟的对照泡沫。用视觉模拟评分法（visualanalogue scale,VAS）对患者的牙齿敏感程度进行评估。分别于洁治前、洁治后1周和1个月记录VAS值,比较治疗后与治疗前的差值。结果对照组洁治后1周VAS值比洁治前增加（0.75±0.14）;实验组洁治后1周VAS值比洁治前减少（0.41±0.18）,两组间VAS变化值的差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。实验组洁治后敏感程度增加的患者发生率（25.5%）显著低于对照组（40.6%）（P=0.026）。敏感程度明显加重（VAS值增加3以上）患者的发生率（6.9%）也显著低于对照组（21.8%）（P=0.003）。结论氟化泡沫能够降低洁治后近期牙齿敏感的发生率,提高患者牙周洁治后的舒适度,临床指导意义受短时效果所限。     

A cross‐sectional study of dentine hypersensitivity in China

Objective : To carry out a cross‐sectional study of the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity and related risk factors in Chengdu City, China. Methods : A total of 1,320 subjects were distributed equally in six communities in Chengdu City and of all age groups (10 years for an age group) including the same number of male and female subjects in each community. Each subject completed a structured interview and the subjects who reported hypersensitivity were examined further using a triple syringe to administer a blast of cold air to confirm the diagnosis of dentine hypersensitivity. Periodontal attachment loss and gingival recession of all sensitive teeth were measured. Results : The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity was 25.5% in the oral test. Only 16.6% of subjects who reported hypersensitivity symptoms had received desensitising treatment. 50–59 year age group was the cohort with the greatest number of subjects with DH and the premolar was the most commonly affected tooth. Low education level, gingival recession, and attachment loss were related to dentine hypersensitivity. Conclusions : The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in an urban adult population in Chengdu City was 25.5%.     

A 3-day randomised clinical study investigating the efficacy of two toothpastes,designed to occlude dentine tubules,for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity

Objectives

A product comparison study to compare the short term clinical efficacy of a strontium acetate/silica toothpaste with an arginine/calcium carbonate paste for pain reduction in dentine hypersensitivity.

Methods

The study was examiner blind of two arm parallel design. Eighty healthy adult subjects from general dental practice with ≥2 sensitive teeth but otherwise good oral health, were enrolled and randomised to 1 of 2 toothpaste treatments, schedule provided by the sponsor. Almost equal numbers received each treatment. Tooth sensitivity was measured in three ways; evaporative (Schiff score; Visual Analogue Scale) and tactile stimuli (Yeaple probe), prior to and immediately after subjects’ self application of a single pea sized dose of toothpaste, and following subsequent twice daily brushing for three days with the paste.

Results

All 80 subjects completed the study. Results confirm that for both treatments, pain was reduced immediately and relief was sustained after 3 days use. For all 3 measures, benefit was similar between the two pastes, with no statistical or clinical difference demonstrated, apart from response to evaporative stimulus at 3 days, where Schiff scores were significantly lower in the arginine group, p = 0.02.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that both desensitising, occluding toothpastes provided reduction of pain from dentine hypersensitivity on a short term basis: toothpastes appearing to be clinically similarly effective both after a single subject dab on application and post twice daily brushing for three days.National Research Ethics Service register number 09/H020/57.     

Knowledge,diagnosis and management of dentine hypersensitivity: a national survey of dentists in Nigeria

Aim: To assess the knowledge of Nigerian dentists regarding dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and their methods of diagnosis and management. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of dentists practicing in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria was conducted. The questionnaire focussed on participant''s demography, exposure to patients with DH, knowledge-based questions, diagnosis and management of DH. Data analysis using EPI Info statistical software determined frequencies and proportions. Associations between discrete variables were assessed using the chi-square test (P ≤ 0.05). Results: A total of 1,057 dentists responded; the majority (83.8%) had practiced for up to 15 years, and 92.0% reported that, on average, between one and 10 of their patients each week complained of DH. The majority (92.8%) of dentists described DH as stimulated brief pain from the tooth; 24.2% expressed that DH can be treated by altering the number of dentinal tubules. A diagnosis of DH is made by tapping (20.6%) or scratching (73.4%) the tooth. Although radical treatments, such as extraction (24.7%) and root canal therapy (34.5%), were mentioned by some, the majority identified aetiological and predisposing factors (98.8%) and provided diet (95.1%) and oral hygiene (95%) counselling as part of the management of DH. Evaluation of 36 knowledge-based questions revealed that only 1.8% of the respondents provided at least 25 correct answers. Knowledge was significantly associated with respondent age and number of years in practice (P ≤ 0.05) but was not associated with the number of patients with DH seen per week (P = 0.46). Conclusion: Dentists practicing in Nigeria exhibited knowledge gaps concerning DH and its diagnosis and management.Key words: Dentine hypersensitivity, knowledge, diagnosis, management     

四川省中小城镇及农村地区成人牙本质敏感的临床特征及危险因素分析

目的分析四川省中小城镇及农村地区成人牙本质敏感的临床特征及危险因素,以期为牙本质敏感的防治提供参考。方法采用多阶段分层随机抽样的方法,对四川省中小城镇及农村地区进行成人牙本质敏感的流行病学调查,所有被检查者均需回答年龄、刷牙方法及酸性来源等内容,并通过冷空气检测判断是否为牙本质敏感。口腔检查和问卷内容采用Logistic回归分析牙本质敏感的危险因素。结果本次调查共纳入1163人,324名受检者患有牙本质敏感,敏感牙数共1038颗。第一前磨牙为牙本质敏感最好发牙位,占敏感牙齿的29.96％(311/1038);敏感牙齿最好发部位为暴露的牙根面,占总敏感牙齿的63.87％ (663/1038),不同牙位患病部位具有各自的特征,性别、牙刷使用时间长、患有胃返酸是本次调查人群牙本质敏感的危险因素（OR值分别为2.175、1.157、1.760）。结论牙本质敏感是受多因素影响的口腔疾病,对其防治应从提高口腔健康措施、防治牙周疾病等多方面进行。     

Clinical evaluation of Er,Cr:YSGG and GaAlAs laser therapy for treating dentine hypersensitivity: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective

The advent of dental lasers has raised another possible treatment option for dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and has become a research interest in the last decades. The aim of this randomized, controlled, double-blind, split mouth, clinical study was to evaluate and compare the desensitizing effects of erbium, chromium-doped:yttrium, scandium, gallium and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) to galium-aluminium-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser on DH.

Methods

Fifty-one patients participated in this study for a total of 174 teeth. DH was assessed for all groups with a visual analog scale. For each patient, the teeth were randomized to three groups. In the diode laser group, sensitive teeth were irradiated with the GaAlAs laser at 8.5 J/cm² energy density. In the Er,Cr:YSGG laser group, sensitive teeth were irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser in the hard tissue mode using a none-contact probe at an energy level of 0.25 W and repetition rate of 20 Hz, 0% water and 10% air. In the control group no treatment was performed. Treatment time was 60 s for GaAlAs laser and 30 s for Er,Cr:YSGG laser.

Results

When compared with the control group and baseline data, in both laser groups, laser irradiation provided a desensitizing effect immediately after treatment and this effect was maintained throughout the study (p < 0.05). No significant differences between Er,Cr:YSGG and GaAlAs laser groups were found at any follow-up examination (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on these findings, it may be concluded that both Er,Cr:YSGG and GaAlAs lasers were effective in the treatment of DH following a single application.     

含5%硝酸钾牙膏抗牙本质敏感的临床研究

目的:评价含5%硝酸钾牙膏减轻牙本质敏感症状的临床效果。方法:根据随机、双盲、平行设计的试验原则,将63名受试者随机分为试验组(含5%硝酸钾牙膏)和对照组(普通牙膏)进行试验,试验周期为4周。采用视觉模拟疼痛评分法(VAS)分别记录基线和4周后受试牙的牙敏感指数。采用SPSS13.0软件包对数据进行非参数检验。结果:使用牙膏4周后,试验组牙本质敏感VAS值显著低于基线(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,试验组使用牙膏前后牙本质敏感VAS记分之差显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:含5%硝酸钾牙膏具有显著的抗牙本质敏感效果,可改善患者的整体舒适度。     

氟化钠不同导入方法对牙本质通透性的影响

目的：观察不同方法导入氟化钠对牙本质通透性的影响,为临床使用氟化钠甘油糊剂治疗牙本质敏感症选择方法提供参考。方法：收集30。50岁完整离体磨牙,除去牙釉质,暴露同样程度的牙本质,75％氟化钠甘油糊剂放置于牙本质表面,通过加热、涂擦、微波和激光等方法处理后,牙体标本置于2％亚甲兰溶液中浸泡6h,剖开,在显微镜下观察染料渗透的距离。结果：加热NaF和用激光、微波直接处理牙本质表面,其通透性较空白对照组明显增加（p〈0．05）,激光或微波作用氟化钠,牙本质通透性较空白对照组明显降低（p〈0．05）。结论：激光或微波联合NaF治疗牙本质敏感症比单独用激光、微波治疗效果更好。     

Evaluation of the chemomechanical removal of dentine caries in vivo with a new modified Carisolv gel

Carisolv is a minimally invasive method for softening and removing dentine caries. A new, modified Carisolv gel has been developed in order to optimise the efficiency if its chemical caries dissolution. The aim of the present study was to compare the caries removal efficiency of the original gel with that of the new gel, which contains almost double the concentration of sodium hypochlorite. Ten dentists treated 202 cavities in 170 patients; 104 cavities were randomised to the new gel and 98 to the original gel. Their mean treatment times for caries removal were 6.7±4.1 min and 7.6±4.2 min, respectively (P>0.05). In close-to-pulp lesions, constituting 32% of the cavities, the mean times for caries removal were 9.0±7.0 min and 11.6±4.4 min for the new and original gels, respectively (P<0.01). Questionnaires revealed that 81% of the patients preferred chemomechanical treatment to drilling. In conclusion, the improved efficiency of the modified Carisolv gel did reduce the time for caries removal in deep lesions. However, it still needs more time than conventional drilling.     

碳酸氢钠和氟化钠混合液治疗牙本质过敏症的临床研究

目的：观察碳酸氢钠和氟化钠混合液治疗牙本质症过敏的疗效。方法：实验组使用1mol/L浓度的碳酸氢钠和0．12mol/L浓度的氟化钠混合液；对照组用0．48mol/L浓度的氟化钠溶液，记录第3次治疗后的疗效及实验组3个月后的随访结果。结果：实验组，显效54例（90．00％），有效4例（6．67％），无效2例（3．33％），总有效58例（96．67％）。对照组，显效24例（40．00％），有效33例（55．00％），无效3例（5．00％），总有效57例（95．00％）。两组总有效率无显著差异（P＞0．05），显效率有显著差异（P＜0．05）。3个月后实验组疗效；显效47例（88．68％），有效4例（7．55％），无效2例（3．77％），总有效51例（96．23％）。结论：1mol/L浓度的碳酸氢钠和0．12mol/L浓度的氟化钠混合液是一种高效、作用持久、使用安全的牙本质脱敏剂。     

脱敏抛光膏和氟化物凝胶对洁治后牙本质敏感和菌斑控制的疗效观察

目的观察脱敏抛光膏和氟化物凝胶对牙周洁治术后牙本质敏感和菌斑控制的影响。方法选择菌斑性龈炎需行龈上洁治术的口腔本科生40名,采用自身对照,随机选择一侧牙列为试验侧,对侧牙列为对照侧,试验侧超声洁治后使用脱敏抛光膏和氟化物凝胶,对照侧超声洁治后使用普通抛光膏,于洁治后即刻和抛光后即刻,治疗后1周、2周、3周、4周检查牙齿吹气刺激敏感值（blowing stimulation test scores,BST）和菌斑指数（plaque index,PLI）。结果抛光后即刻试验侧BST均值为0.60±0.40,明显低于对照侧0.91±0.73（P〈0.05）,治疗后1周、2周、3周试验侧BST均值分别为0.48±0.51、0.45±0.42、0.51±0.83,对照侧BST均值分别为0.88±0.50、0.86±0.45、0.84±0.52,试验侧均低于对照侧（P〈0.05）,4周时双侧BST差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。洁治后1周、2周试验侧PLI分别为0.75±0.78、0.82±0.73,对照侧PLI分别为1.06±0.89、1.14±0.86,试验侧均明显低于对照侧（P〈0.05）,3周、4周时双侧PLI差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论菌斑性龈炎患者牙周洁治后使用脱敏抛光膏和氟化物凝胶可即刻并持续减轻牙齿敏感症状达3周,并可延缓菌斑再沉积达2周。     

An in situ study investigating dentine tubule occlusion of dentifrices following acid challenge

Objectives

To investigate the dentine occlusion and acid resistance of dentifrices developed to treat dentine hypersensitivity.

Methods

This was a single centre, single blind, randomised, split mouth, four treatments, two period crossover, in situ study in healthy subjects. Subjects wore buccal intra-oral appliances each fitted with four dentine samples over four consecutive days with one study product applied per appliance; 8% strontium acetate in silica base, 1040 ppm sodium fluoride (Sensodyne^® Rapid Relief), 8% arginine, calcium carbonate, 1450 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate (Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief^®), 1450 ppm sodium fluoride (control paste) and water. On days 3 and 4, two agitated grapefruit juice challenges (ex vivo) occurred for 1 min. At the end of each treatment day 1 dentine sample was removed from each appliance for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extent of tubule occlusion was measured using an examiner-based visual scoring index (three trained examiners).

Results

In total, 28 subjects ((12 males and 16 females with a mean age of 34.7 years (SD 8.41 years)) completed the study. On day 2, both test dentifrices demonstrated significantly better dentine tubule occlusion than water (p < 0.0001) and control paste (8% strontium p = 0.0003 and 8% arginine p = 0.0019). After 3 and 4 days of twice daily brushing with acid challenges on days 3 and 4 the strontium-based dentifrice demonstrated significantly better dentine occlusion than all other treatments (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Strontium acetate and arginine-based dentifrice result in statistically significant dentine tubular occlusion compared to controls, but the arginine-based dentifrice is more susceptible to acid challenge.

Clinical significance

Erosive beverages are an important aetiology in DH by exposing dentine tubules. Their consumption has increased significantly over the past decade in the UK. This 4-day in situ study investigated the properties of commercially available dentifrices designed to occlude dentine tubules and their resistance to an agitated acid challenge.     

Clinical evaluation of diamine silver fluoride/potassium iodide as a dentine desensitizing agent. A pilot study

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of an experimental diamine silver fluoride/potassium iodide product with an oxalic acid‐based preparation in reducing dentine hypersensitivity. Methods: The study was conducted as a double‐blind, randomized clinical trial. A total of 19 subjects with dentine hypersensitivity on both sides of their upper arch were selected. The most sensitive tooth in each quadrant was identified and received a cold stimulus. The response was recorded on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The tooth thus selected was treated with one of the treatment agents. One week later the level of dentine sensitivity was assessed. Participants were also asked for their subjective assessment of treatment effects. Results: The mean difference between VAS at baseline and seven days for teeth treated with diamine silver fluoride/potassium iodide was greater than that for teeth treated with the oxalic acid‐based preparation (p = 0.0134). The subjects’ subjective assessment of changes in dentine hypersensitivity indicated that more obtained relief with the diamine silver fluoride/potassium iodide treatment (p = 0.0129). Conclusions: It was concluded that an experimental diamine silver fluoride/potassium iodide product has potential as a treatment for dentine hypersensitivity.