This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of
chlorhexidine,
sodium fluoride, and sequential rinses of
chlorhexidine (Cx) and
sodium fluoride (NaF) on
dentin hypersensitivity. Forty-four adult patients with
dentin hypersensitivity on three teeth were randomly assigned to receive one of four treatment rinses: (1) placebo; (2) 0.12% Cx; (3) 0.2% NaF; or (4) 0.12%
Cx plus 0.2 NaF. Patients' responses to cold stimulation were recorded at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks.
Pain response was quantified by applying successively decreasing temperature intervals of water (20 degrees C, 15 degrees C, 10 degrees C, 5 degrees C, and 0 degrees C) to exposed dentin. Plaque Index (Silness and Löe) was recorded at baseline only. Data on
dentin sensitivity over time were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA. This ANOVA was conducted to generate an error term for calculation of Dunn's multiple mean comparison test. A Spearman rank order test was computed to assess correlation between plaque and
hypersensitivity at baseline. Results showed the Cx and NaF rinses alone significantly reduced
hypersensitivity (p less than .01) at four weeks compared to baseline. Sequential Cx and NaF rinses significantly decreased sensitivity (p less than .01) at both the two- and four-week intervals compared to baseline. At the four-week interval, the sequential Cx/NaF rinse group showed a significantly greater reduction (p less than .01) in
hypersensitivity response when compared to placebo. Cx alone, or NaF alone groups. A moderate, positive correlation (r = 0.55) was demonstrated between plaque and
dentin hypersensitivity. This was statistically significant at the (p less than .05) level.