title: The use of topical guanethidine in the relief of dentine hypersensitivity: a controlled study.
abstract: After a pilot study had indicated that the topical application of guanethidine might be of value in the treatment of tooth dentine hypersensitivity, a double-blind study was undertaken to investigate whether guanethidine was more effective than a distilled water control in alleviating dentinal pain. In 39 adult subjects, who had complained of dentine hypersensitivity, a 1 sec blast of air from a dental 3-in-1 syringe was directed onto sensitive root dentine at an angle of 90 degrees from a distance of 1 cm. The severity of the resulting pain was indicated by the subject on a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS). One droplet of either 1% guanethidine monosulphate (Ismelin, Ciba-Geigy) or distilled water, allocated at random, was applied to the dentine for 1 min. The tooth was re-tested with the standardised air blast and a second VAS was marked by the subject. In total, 19 patients received guanethidine and 20 received water. VAS scores before treatment in the 2 groups treated with either guanethidine or water (means: 6.5 +/- 2.2 and 6.0 +/- 2.5, respectively) were not significantly different (Mann-Whitney, P = 0.48) whereas the VAS scores in the 2 groups after treatment with guanethidine or water (means: 2.7 +/- 2.4 and 4.8 +/- 2.9, respectively) were significantly different (Mann-Whitney, P < 0.02). It was concluded that guanethidine reduced dentinal hypersensitivity more effectively than distilled water.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, LondonUK Pain Relief Centre, Frimley Park Hospital, SurreyUK.
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hannington-Kiff
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006145:Guanethidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement
chemical_list: D006145:Guanethidine