A double-blind randomized-controlled trial comparing the desensitizing efficacy of a new dentifrice containing carbonate/hydroxyapatite nanocrystals and a sodium fluoride/potassium nitrate dentifrice.
OBJECTIVE
Several dentifrices have shown to be effective in reducing dentine hypersensitivity (DH), but more effective products are needed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the desensitizing efficacy of a new dentifrice based on zinc-carbonate hydroxyapatite (CHA) nanocrystals.


METHODS
Using a double-blind, randomized design, the new dentifrice was compared with potassium nitrate/fluoride dentifrice (active control). The participant's DH was evaluated at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks using airblast (primary outcome), tactile, cold water and subjective tests (secondary outcomes).


RESULTS
The final sample consisted of 70 subjects with baseline DH; 36 received the new dentifrice and 34 the control one. Both dentifrices were largely effective; the percentage of score reduction from baseline to 8 weeks was greater than 28% for all tests (and greater than 55% for the cold water test) in both groups. As compared with controls, experimental subjects had a significantly greater improvement in the airblast test score (mean percentage of reduction of 46.0%versus 29.4% in controls) and the subjective test score (47.5%versus 28.1%, respectively), with both differences already being significant after 4 weeks. In contrast, there was no significant difference between groups for either the tactile or cold water tests at any time point and with any outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
This study documented that the new dentifrice containing zinc-CHA nanocrystals significantly reduced dentinal hypersensitivity after 4 and 8 weeks, supporting its utility in clinical practice.
Orsini
Giovanna
G
Department of Clinical Sciences and Stomatology, Polytechnique University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. giovorsini@yahoo.com
Procaccini
Maurizio
M
Manzoli
Lamberto
L
Giuliodori
Francesca
F
Lorenzini
Alessandro
A
Putignano
Angelo
A
D000328:Adult; D000388:Air; D001031:Apatites / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002254:Carbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017886:Durapatite / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014110:Touch; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001031:Apatites; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002254:Carbonates; D003802:Dentifrices; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009566:Nitrates; D010710:Phosphates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C097427:Sensodyne; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D014867:Water; C030782:carboapatite; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D017886:Durapatite; C036650:zinc carbonate; D005459:Fluorides; C023844:potassium nitrate