ABSTRACT
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.