Clinical evaluation of three desensitizing agents in relieving dentin hypersensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
This in vivo study determined whether the application of three different desensitizing agents on exposed dentin surfaces was effective in reducing dentin hypersensitivity in subjects with slight-to-moderate sensitivity.


METHODS
Sixty patients with a history of sensitivity were included in this study. At baseline visit, the initial sensitivity levels were recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS). In order to activate the sensitivity, evaporative (air-blast) and thermal (chloraethyl) stimuli were applied to each subject. The subjects' responses to the stimuli were marked on the VAS. Then, the subjects were assigned to one of the treatment groups or to a placebo. The agents used were Seal&Protect (Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany), Vivasens (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and BisBlock (BISCO, Schaumburg, IL, USA); whereas, distilled water was used as the placebo. The subjects were recalled after four weeks, and their responses were again recorded.


RESULTS
The VAS scores of the treatment and placebo groups were not different from each other at baseline (p > 0.05), and thermal stimuli caused higher patient discomfort than evaporative stimuli (p < 0.05). Alleviation effects of the desensitizing agents were not significantly different from each other; however, the placebo was an exception (p < 0.05). The differences between the VAS scores at baseline and after four weeks were significant for all three desensitizing agents (p < 0.05). However, in the placebo group, the evaporative stimuli led to insignificant pain variations (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the desensitizing agents used in this clinical study were effective in alleviating dentin hypersensitivity. Meanwhile, the placebo response was shown to play a significant role.
Ege University, School of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Izmir, Turkey. tijenpamir@yahoo.com
Tijen
T
Pamir
Hande
H
Dalgar
Banu
B
Onal
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019815:Oxalic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
C514542:BisBlock; D003188:Composite Resins; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D019279:Resin Cements; C442646:Seal and Protect resin cement; C525245:VivaSens Liner; D019815:Oxalic Acid