Dentin hypersensitivity is a common problem that can occur due to tooth whitening, or dentin exposure due to gingival recession, abrasion, erosion, or cervical abfractions. Topical desensitizing agents are available for treating hypersensitivity. A study by Ozen, et al, published in Operative Dentistry (July-August 2009), compared in vivo the efficacy of 3 desensitizing agents with different active ingredients: glutaraldehyde and HEMA (Gluma), fluoride varnish (Duraphat), and potassium nitrate (UltraEZ). A distilled water placebo group was used for comparison. It involved 52 patients (26 men, 26 women) with 208 teeth having exposed cervical dentin sensitive to air or cold stimulus. Stimulus-pain response (hypersensitivity) was recorded from zero to 100 using a visual analog scale at baseline, and then again at 24 hours and 7 days following treatment with 2 coats of one of the 3 desensitizing agents. It was found that mean pain scores at baseline were in the mid 50s or low 60s, depending on the group. After 24 hours, among those teeth that were still sensitive, the mean pain score had re-duced to a score of approximately 49. About 52% to 57% of all teeth treated with a desensitizing agent had be-come painless. After 1 week, > 90% of treated teeth responded with no pain, and the mean pain score of those teeth that were still sensitive dropped to a mean score near 6. In the placebo group, 100% of teeth continued to elicit a pain response throughout the course of the study, with a mean pain score remaining near 60. It concluded that all 3 topical desensitizers resulted in a significant reduction in dentin hypersensitivity after 24 hours, and greater still after 7 days. Gluma, Duraphat, and UltraEZ were equally effective in treating dentin hypersensitivity, with 90% of patients gaining relief from hypersensitivity due to exposed dentin.
(Source: Quick-Scan Reviews in General Dentistry, Oakstone Publishing, August 30, 2009)
