title: Reducing dentine hypersensitivity with nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present randomized double-blind clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity of a dentifrice formulation containing nano-hydroxyapatite with a fluoride dentifrice and a placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and five subjects were recruited to participate in the study. A computer-generated random table with blocking to one of the three study treatments was used in order to have 35 subjects per group: (1) nano-hydroxyapatite 2% gel toothpaste fluoride free; (2) fluoride gel toothpaste; (3) placebo. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were instructed to treat their teeth for 10 min twice a day with the provided toothpaste gel. The participant's dentin hypersensitivity was evaluated at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks using airblast and tactile tests. In addition, a subjective evaluation using a visual analogue scale was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant lower values of cold air sensitivity and tactile sensitivity (p < 0.05) were found for the test group at 2 weeks and 4 weeks. In addition, statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower values of sensitivity were reported for group 1 compared to those for groups 2 and 3 at 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. The VAS scores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the test group at 2 and 4 weeks compared to those at baseline and in the control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of nano-hydroxyapatite in gel toothpaste fluoride free is an effective desensitizing agent providing relief from symptoms after 2 and 4 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Surgical Pathology, Medicine, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vano
authors.affiliation: Dept of Surgical Pathology, Medicine, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.|Tuscan Stomatologic Institute, Viareggio, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Derchi
authors.affiliation: Dept of Oral Surgery, University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.affiliation: Dept of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/C, 07100, Sassari (SS), Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9595-8953
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinna
authors.affiliation: Dept of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/C, 07100, Sassari (SS), Italy. rpinna@uniss.it.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Usai
authors.affiliation: Dept of Surgical Pathology, Medicine, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.|Tuscan Stomatologic Institute, Viareggio, Italy.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Covani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017886:Durapatite / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049329:Nanostructures; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D014100:Toothpastes; D017886:Durapatite
keywords: Dentine hypersensitivity; Desensitizing agents; Fluoride; Nano-hydroxyapatite