title: Desensitizing toothpaste versus placebo for dentin hypersensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim is to assess the effect of desensitizing toothpaste on dentin hypersensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, and Embase on December 20, 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 626 articles searched, a total of 31 randomized controlled clinical trials were included. The Standardized mean differences (SMD) for potassium-containing toothpaste (n = 8) was -1.28 (95% Confidence interval (CI) -2.05 to -0.51; I(2) = 93%); Stannous fluoride- (n = 6) was -1.37 (95% CI, -2.30 to -0.44; I(2) = 95%); Potassium and stannous fluoride- (n = 3) was -2.50 (95% CI, -4.10 to -0.91; I(2) = 95%); Calcium sodium phosphosilicate- (n = 4) was -2.36 (95% CI, -3.72 to -1.00; I(2) = 92%); Arginine- (n = 8) was -3.25 (95% CI, -3.87 to -2.63; I(2) = 86%). The desensitizing effect was favoured in the intervention group treated with potassium-, stannous fluoride-, potassium and stannous fluoride-, calcium sodium phosphosilicate-, and arginine-containing toothpaste compared to placebo. Whereas, strontium-containing toothpaste (SMD, 0.05; 95% CI, -0.34 to 0.44; I(2) = 64%) was found to have no statistically significant desensitizing effect in the meta-analysis of four studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study reports that there is sufficient evidence to support the use of potassium-, stannous fluoride-, potassium and stannous fluoride-, calcium sodium phosphosilicate-, and arginine-containing desensitizing toothpastes for dentin hypersensitivity, but not the use of strontium-containing desensitizing toothpaste.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Young-Kyun
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung-Kwon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Myung
mesh_terms: D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017640:Silicates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013324:Strontium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014002:Tin Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; D009566:Nitrates; D010710:Phosphates; D010919:Placebos; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D017640:Silicates; D014002:Tin Fluorides; D014100:Toothpastes; C585805:pro-argin; D001120:Arginine; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D005459:Fluorides; C023844:potassium nitrate; D013324:Strontium
keywords: air blast test; dentin hypersensitivity; desensitizing toothpaste; meta-analysis; placebo; randomized controlled clinical trial