The effect on dentinal
hypersensitivity from the use of a
dentifrice containing 5.0%
potassium nitrate, 1500 ppm
sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated
calcium carbonate (PCC) base over an eight-week period was compared to a placebo
dentifrice without
potassium nitrate. A total of forty-eight subjects were entered into the study and stratified into two balanced groups according to their baseline mean thermal (air blast) and tactile (Yeaple Probe) sensitivity scores. The two groups were randomly assigned to use either the
potassium nitrate/PCC
dentifrice or a placebo
dentifrice without
potassium nitrate. The two groups were well balanced with regard to their mean baseline thermal tactile sensitivity scores, sex and age. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned
dentifrice and a commercially available soft-bristled toothbrush. Dentinal
hypersensitivity examinations, which included tactile and thermal sensitivity, were conducted at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks. Examinations were conducted by the same dental examiner (TS) on the subjects at each examination. After four weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the
potassium nitrate/PCC
dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < 0.0001), as compared to the placebo
dentifrice without
potassium nitrate, in tactile and thermal sensitivity. After eight weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the
potassium nitrate/PCC
dentifrice group again demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < 0.0001), in tactile and thermal sensitivity, as compared to the placebo
dentifrice without
potassium nitrate. Thus it can be concluded from this study that the use of a
dentifrice containing 5.0%
potassium nitrate and 1500 ppm
sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated
calcium carbonate (PCC) base is a clinically effective method for reducing dentinal
hypersensitivity.