A randomized clinical trial of the desensitizing efficacy of three dentifrices. Efficacy of a dentifrice containing 5% potassium nitrate and 1500 PPM sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated calcium carbonate base on dentinal hypersensitivity. Clinical evaluation of a potassium nitrate dentifrice for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. Assessing the efficacy of three dentifrices in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. A new desensitizing dentifrice--an 8-week clinical investigation. Efficacy of a dentifrice containing potassium nitrate, soluble pyrophosphate, PVM/MA copolymer, and sodium fluoride on dentinal hypersensitivity: a twelve-week clinical study.
The effect on dentinal hypersensitivity from the use of a new dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength Toothpaste, Colgate-Palmolive Co.) over an 8-week period was compared to a commercially available dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (positive control [Sensodyne Fresh Mint Toothpaste, Block Drug Company, Inc.]) and to a commercially available nondesensitizing dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (negative control [Colgate Winterfresh Gel, Colgate-Palmolive Co.]). A total of 120 participants were stratified into 3 balanced groups according to baseline mean air blast (thermal) and tactile (Yeaple Probe) sensitivity scores, gender, and age. Participants brushed their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute. Dentinal hypersensitivity examinations were conducted at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks by the same dental examiner. After 4- and 8-weeks' use of their assigned products, participants in the new dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in tactile and air blast sensitivity, as compared to those using the positive and negative control dentifrices. The effect on dentinal hypersensitivity from the use of a dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate, 1500 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) base over an eight-week period was compared to a placebo dentifrice without potassium nitrate. A total of forty-eight subjects were entered into the study and stratified into two balanced groups according to their baseline mean thermal (air blast) and tactile (Yeaple Probe) sensitivity scores. The two groups were randomly assigned to use either the potassium nitrate/PCC dentifrice or a placebo dentifrice without potassium nitrate. The two groups were well balanced with regard to their mean baseline thermal tactile sensitivity scores, sex and age. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice and a commercially available soft-bristled toothbrush. Dentinal hypersensitivity examinations, which included tactile and thermal sensitivity, were conducted at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks. Examinations were conducted by the same dental examiner (TS) on the subjects at each examination. After four weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the potassium nitrate/PCC dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < 0.0001), as compared to the placebo dentifrice without potassium nitrate, in tactile and thermal sensitivity. After eight weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the potassium nitrate/PCC dentifrice group again demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < 0.0001), in tactile and thermal sensitivity, as compared to the placebo dentifrice without potassium nitrate. Thus it can be concluded from this study that the use of a dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 1500 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) base is a clinically effective method for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. The effectiveness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice as a daily home treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity was evaluated in a double-blind study in 36 Japanese subjects who complained of cold and/or tactile hypersensitivity. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, with 18 being given a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice (treated group) and the other 18 a vehicle paste (control group). Both groups were instructed to brush their teeth 2 x a day. The hypersensitivity levels of the affected teeth were assessed by 2 stimuli, one tactile and the other cold air, and by the perception of pain. The results of all 3 assessment methods indicated that the potassium nitrate dentifrice significantly decreased the level of hypersensitivity at weeks 4, 8, and 12. In the treated 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. Complete relief of subjective symptoms throughout the 12 weeks' examination 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% potassium nitrate dentifrice in Japanese patients with dentinal hypersensitivity. A multicenter clinical trial conducted by the authors compared the desensitizing efficacy of a new 5 percent potassium nitrate: 0.243 percent sodium fluoride dentifrice along with two clinically proven, commercially available desensitizing dentifrices to a placebo dentifrice. Sensitivity to cold air and tactile stimulation, along with patients' subjective assessments, were evaluated to assess the dentinal desensitizing efficacy of the test dentifrices. Results demonstrated that after four weeks, participants who used the new dentifrice formulation experienced significant decreases in dentinal sensitivity compared to the placebo group for all measured indexes. An 8-week, double-blind, three-way clinical trial compared the dentinal hypersensitivity-reducing effectiveness of a new dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength Toothpaste, Colgate-Palmolive Co.) with a commercially available desensitizing dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (Sensodyne Fresh Mint Toothpaste, Block Drug Company, Inc.) and a nondesensitizing dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Winterfresh Gel, Colgate-Palmolive Co.). One hundred nine subjects were stratified into three balanced groups according to gender, age, mean baseline tactile (Yeaple Probe), and thermal (air blast) scores. The test products were randomly assigned to each group with instructions to brush twice daily. Oral examinations with tactile and thermal assessments were repeated after 4 and 8 weeks. The new dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in tactile and thermal sensitivity over the two control groups. The effect on dentinal hypersensitivity from the use of a dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate, 1.3% soluble pyrophosphate, 1.5% PVM/MA copolymer, and 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base over a twelve-week period was compared to a matching placebo dentifrice without potassium nitrate. A total of sixty-seven subjects were entered into the study, and stratified into two balanced groups according to their baseline mean thermal (threshold) temperature (Thermodontic Stimulator) and baseline mean tactile (Yeaple Probe) sensitivity scores. The two groups were randomly assigned to use either the potassium nitrate/copolymer/pyrophosphate dentifrice or the placebo dentifrice. The two groups were well balanced with regard to their mean baseline thermal and tactile sensitivity scores, sex and age. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice and a commercially available soft-bristled toothbrush. Dentinal hypersensitivity examinations, which included tactile sensitivity, threshold thermal sensitivity, pain thermal sensitivity, air blast, and a visual analog scale were conducted at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks. All examinations were conducted by the same dental examiner. After six weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the potassium nitrate/copolymer/pyrophosphate dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < 0.01), as compared to the placebo dentifrice, in the following parameters: 1) tactile; 2) thermal (threshold and pain); and 3) air blast. After twelve weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the potassium nitrate/copolymer/pyrophosphate dentifrice group again demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < 0.01), in tactile, thermal (threshold and pain) and air blast sensitivity, as compared to the placebo dentifrice. It was concluded from this study that a dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate, 1.3% soluble pyrophosphate, 1.5% PVM/MA copolymer, and 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base is a clinically effective treatment for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity.
The evidence generated by this review is based on a small number of individuals. Furthermore, the effect varies with the methods applied for assessing the sensitivity.Thus no clear evidence is available for the support of potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity.