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The effectiveness of a patient‐applied tooth desensitizing gel A pilot study
Author(s) -
Reinhart Thomas C.,
Killoy William J.,
Love John,
Overman Pamela R.,
Sakumura Joseph S.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1990.tb01074.x
Subject(s) - potassium nitrate , dentistry , cementoenamel junction , medicine , dentin hypersensitivity , dentin , potassium , chemistry , molar , organic chemistry
Potassium nitrate has been found to be an effective ingredient for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient‐applied 10% potassium nitrate glycerine‐based gel in decreasing dentinal sensitivity on cold on teeth with exposed dentin apical to the cementoenamel junction. 12 patients, each having 3 hypersensitive teeth, were tested. The patients were divided into 3 treatment groups: group 1 was treated with a glycerine‐based ‐10% potassium nitrate gel: group 2 was treated with a glycerine gel without potassium nitrate; and group 3 received no gel and no treatment (control). Following brushing and flossing, groups 1 and 2 applied the gel to the test teeth using custom‐made soft acrylic trays, for a period of 5 min/ day for 4 weeks. Patient responses to cold water stimuli of 20° C, 10° C and 0° C, were measured at baseline (week 0). then at 1‐, 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐week intervals. Group 1 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold at week 2 only. The group 2 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold after 3 and 4 weeks. A statistically significant decrease in sensitivity was noted between group 2 and group 3 patients at week 3. The most sustained decrease in sensitivity to cold was found on teeth treated with plain glycerine.