RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This systematic review and Meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of calcium sodium phos-phosilicate (CSPS) and potassium nitrate as desensitizing agents for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A thorough search in The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Chinese WanFang Data, CBM, and CNKI were conducted for studies published up to June 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the treatment of DH with CSPS and potassium nitrate toothpaste were included. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently, and Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eight RCTs involving 411 patients were included. Experimental group comprised 203 and control group had 208 patients. The Meta-analysis indicated the superior effect of CSPS dentifrice on air blast sensitivity at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of follow-up [SMD=-1.85, 95%CI (-2.89, -0.81), P=0.000 5, I²=93%], [SMD=-1.61, 95%CI (-1.96, -1.26), P<0.000 01, I²=49%], [SMD=-3.79, 95%CI (-7.18, -0.40), P=0.03, I²=98%], and [SMD=-2.13, 95%CI (-2.69, -1.58), P<0.000 01] , respectively. No significant effects were seen at 12 weeks [SMD=-0.63, 95%CI (-1.47, 0.20), P=0.14, I²=71%]. CSPS dentifrice showed a better desensitizing effect at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks of follow-up on cold water sensitivity [SMD=-1.07, 95%CI (-1.48, -0.66), P<0.000 01, I²=69%], [SMD= -1.29, 95%CI (-1.81, -0.76), P<0.000 01, I²=64%], [SMD=-1.20, 95%CI (-1.57, -0.83), P<0.000 01, I²=86%], [SMD=-1.30, 95%CI (-2.51, -0.08), P=0.04, I²=82%], and [SMD=-0.79, 95%CI (-1.27, -0.31), P=0.001], respectively. No significant effects at 1 week of follow-up [SMD=0.00, 95%CI (-0.62, 0.62), P=1]. The favorable effect of CSPS dentifrice on tactile sensitivity was more obvious than the control group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of follow-up [SMD=-1.31, 95%CI (-2.00, -0.62), P=0.000 2, I²=67%], [SMD=-1.37, 95%CI (-1.74, -0.99), P<0.000 01, I²=23%], and [SMD=-1.33, 95%CI (-1.82,-0.84), P<0.000 01], respectively. No significant effects at 1 week of follow-up [SMD=-0.32, 95%CI (-0.94, 0.31), P=0.32] were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Current evidence indicated that CSPS was more effective than potassium nitrate at reducing DH. The evidence generated by this review was based on a small number of individuals. High-quality and large sample size as well as ideally-designed clinical trials are required in the future before definitive recommendations can be made.</p>