EVALUATION OF FERRIC OXALATE AS AN AGENT FOR USE DURING SURGERY TO PREVENT POSTOPERATIVE ROOT HYPERSENSITIVITY

THE AIM OF THIS STUDY was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6% ferric oxalate solution applied during periodontal surgery to prevent post-o perative tooth hypersensitivity. Twenty-five adult patients with simil ar bilateral periodontal defects participated in this study. Data were collected at baseline (1 week prior to surgery) and 1, 2, 4, and 6 we eks following surgery. Sensitivity level was determined using the visu al analog scale (VAS) with the following stimuli: 1) mechanical stimul ation with a No. 23 dental explorer; 2) water at 50 degrees C; 3) ice; and 4) electric pulp tester (EPT). Teeth were randomly assigned to ei ther test (6% ferric oxalate in 0.9% saline) or control (0.9% saline) groups. Solutions were applied to the exposed root surfaces for 1 minu te during surgery. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA, pair ed t-test, and Pearson's correlation test. Results from this study dem onstrated statistically significant reduction in the responses to ther mal stimuli, especially cold, between groups treated with ferric oxala te as compared to those treated with saline. For the cold test the dif ference increased with time from baseline to 6 weeks. Statistically si gnificant (P <0.05) differences in sensitivity to heat between groups were also observed, but only at 2 and 4 weeks following surgery. There were no differences at any time period between the test and control g roups when tactile or EPT techniques were used. In addition, there was no correlation between sensitivity and other clinical parameters. It was concluded from this study that 6% ferric oxalate was effective in reducing post-surgical cold sensitivity when applied during periodonta l surgical procedures.