Comparison of Clinical Efficacy of a Dentifrice Containing Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate to a Dentifrice Containing Potassium Nitrate and to a Placebo on Dentinal Hypersensitivity: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: A considerable number of agents are effective in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. This 6-week randomized clinical trial compares a dentifrice containing calcium sodium phosphosilicate to potassium nitrate and to a placebo. METHODS: A total of 110 subjects (58 males and 52 females; aged 20 to 60 years) were entered into the study. The volunteers selected at baseline had a history of dentin hypersensitivity caused by gingival recession or cervical erosion. Patients were required to have at least two teeth with a visual analog scale score of > or =4 to be included in the study. After sensitivity scores for controlled air stimulus (evaporative stimulus) and cold water (thermal stimulus) at baseline were recorded, subjects were given toothpastes randomly, and sensitivity scores were measured again at 2- and 6-week follow-ups. RESULTS: All three groups showed reduction in sensitivity scores at 2 weeks and 6 weeks for air stimulus and cold water. The calcium sodium phosphosilicate group, however, was found to be significantly better in reducing the visual analog scale score compared to the potassium nitrate group and the placebo group at any time point for both measures of sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of a clinical trial, the calcium sodium phosphosilicate group showed comparable reduction in the symptoms of dentin hypersensitivity.