CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF A POTASSIUM-NITRATE DENTIFRICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DENTINAL HYPERSENSITIVITY

The effectiveness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice as a daily home treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity was evaluated in a double-bli nd study in 36 Japanese subjects who complained of cold and/or tactile hypersensitivity. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, with 18 be ing given a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice (treated group) and the ot her 18 a vehicle paste (control group). Both groups were instructed to brush their teeth 2 x a day. The hypersensitivity levels of the affec ted teeth were assessed by 2 stimuli, one tactile and the other cold a ir, and by the perception of pain. The results of all 3 assessment met hods indicated that the potassium nitrate dentifrice significantly dec reased the level of hypersensitivity at weeks 4, 8, and 12. In the tre ated group, a rapid decrease of positive scores for both the cold air stimulus and the subjective symptoms appeared from week 2. Although a significant decrease of the assessment score was also observed in the control group, the reduction rate of the score was much greater in the treated group by all 3 assessment methods at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Comp lete relief of subjective symptoms throughout the 12 weeks' examinatio n was noted in 67% of the subjects in the treated group, but in only 6 % in the control group. These results suggest the usefulness of a 5% p otassium nitrate dentifrice in Japanese patients with dentinal hyperse nsitivity.