Comparative efficacy of application of three different desensitizing agents with iontophoresis in the treatment of hypersensitive teeth

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of sodium fluoride, strontium chloride, methyl prednisolone, and distilled water (control) with iontophoresis in treating hypersensitivity. Materials and Methods: The study recruited 64 subjects fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria who were evaluated for hypersensitivity using tactile, air blast, and cold water tests. The subjects were randomly divided into four groups - group A: 2% sodium fluoride, group B: 10% strontium chloride, group C: 0.125% methyl prednisolone, and group D: distilled water (control). The subjects were evaluated for 6 weeks and their responses were recorded on the verbal rating scale. All the reagents were administered through iontophoresis. In the in vitro study, a total of 32 dentin specimens were obtained, which were randomly divided into four groups. The above mentioned reagents were applied onto the dentin specimens through iontophoresis, the unit of which was available in the department, and were evaluated under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: After the statistical analysis, it was found that comparison between group A and group B was nonsignificant, whereas comparison between groups A and C, groups A and D, groups B and C, groups B and D, and groups C and D were significant. In SEM analysis, maximum numbers of occluded tubules were seen with sodium fluoride. Conclusions: Clinically, a single application of iontophoresis with 2% sodium fluoride, 10% strontium chloride, and 0.125% methyl prednisolone proved to be a better therapeutic agent in comparison with distilled water. The SEM results also related with clinical finding in that reduction in the patency of tubules was associated with improvement in treatment efficacy