The effectiveness of a patient-applied tooth desensitizing gel. A pilot study

J Clin Periodontol. 1990 Feb;17(2):123-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1990.tb01074.x.

Abstract

Potassium nitrate has been found to be an effective ingredient for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient-applied 10% potassium nitrate glycerine-based gel in decreasing dentinal sensitivity on cold on teeth with exposed dentin apical to the cemento-enamel junction, 12 patients, each having 3 hypersensitive teeth, were tested. The patients were divided into 3 treatment groups: group 1 was treated with a glycerine-based 10% potassium nitrate gel: group 2 was treated with a glycerine gel without potassium nitrate; and group 3 received no gel and no treatment (control). Following brushing and flossing, groups 1 and 2 applied the gel to the test teeth using custom-made soft acrylic trays, for a period of 5 min/day for 4 weeks. Patient responses to cold water stimuli of 20 degrees C, 10 degrees C and 0 degrees C, were measured at baseline (week 0), then at 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week intervals. Group 1 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold at week 2 only. The group 2 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold after 3 and 4 weeks. A statistically significant decrease in sensitivity was noted between group 2 and group 3 patients at week 3. The most sustained decrease in sensitivity to cold was found on teeth treated with plain glycerine.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Cold Temperature / adverse effects
  • Dentin Sensitivity / prevention & control*
  • Gels
  • Glycerol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Nitrates / administration & dosage
  • Nitrates / therapeutic use*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Potassium Compounds*
  • Random Allocation
  • Self Administration
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Gels
  • Nitrates
  • Potassium Compounds
  • Glycerol
  • potassium nitrate