EFFICACY OF A POTASSIUM-NITRATE MOUTHWASH IN ALLEVIATING CERVICAL DENTIN SENSITIVITY (CDS)

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) has been used previously in a dentifrice or g el to alleviate cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS). The aim of this st udy was to compare a 3% KNO3 Silica/NaF mouthwash with a NaF/silica mo uthwash in a 6-week multi-centre double-blind study. 47 subjects (12M; 35F, mean age 36.2 (SD 11.46) years) participated in the study. Subje cts were evaluated for tactile (Yeaple probe) and air sensitivity (den tal air syringe) together with subjective perception of pain (0-10 sca le) at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. Results for Yeaple probe (gm wt) (Wilcoxon pa ired rank test) between 6 weeks and baseline, were highly significant for both groups. Differences between groups at 6 weeks were statistica lly significant. Subjective Yeaple probe scores (paired t-tests) betwe en 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were n o significant differences (unpaired t-tests) between groups over 6 wee ks for subjective Yeaple probe scores. Subjective air scores (paired t -tests) between 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were significant differences (unpaired t-tests) between groups in favour of the 3% KNO3/Silica/NaF group at 6 weeks. The 2 weeks and baseline results for both groups were the same as reported for 6 weeks and baseline. The results demonstrated that a 3% KNO3/Silica/NaF mout hwash compared to a Silica/NaF control significantly reduced CDS when evaluated by tactile and thermal stimuli. A 3% KNO3/silica/NaF mouthwa sh would, therefore appear to have therapeutic potential to alleviate CDS.