Efficacy of a potassium nitrate mouthwash in alleviating cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS).

Abstract

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) has been used previously in a dentifrice or gel to alleviate cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS). The aim of this study was to compare a 3% KNO3 Silica/NaF mouthwash with a NaF/silica mouthwash in a 6-week multi-centre double-blind study. 47 subjects (12M; 35F, mean age 36.2 (SD 11.46) years) participated in the study. Subjects were evaluated for tactile (Yeaple probe) and air sensitivity (dental air syringe) together with subjective perception of pain (0-10 scale) at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. Results for Yeaple probe (gm wt) (Wilcoxon paired rank test) between 6 weeks and baseline, were highly significant for both groups. Differences between groups at 6 weeks were statistically significant. Subjective Yeaple probe scores (paired t-tests) between 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were no significant differences (unpaired t-tests) between groups over 6 weeks for subjective Yeaple probe scores. Subjective air scores (paired t-tests) between 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were significant differences (unpaired t-tests) between groups in favour of the 3% KNO3/Silica/NaF group at 6 weeks. The 2 weeks and baseline results for both groups were the same as reported for 6 weeks and baseline. The results demonstrated that a 3% KNO3/Silica/NaF mouthwash compared to a Silica/NaF control significantly reduced CDS when evaluated by tactile and thermal stimuli. A 3% KNO3/silica/NaF mouthwash would, therefore appear to have therapeutic potential to alleviate CDS.

• Authors: D G Gillam, J S Bulman, R J Jackson, H N Newman
• Journal: Journal of clinical periodontology (J Clin Periodontol) Vol. 23 Issue 11 Pg. 993-7 (Nov 1996) ISSN: 0303-6979 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8951626 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Mouthwashes
• Nitrates
• Potassium Compounds
• potassium nitrate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Dentin Sensitivity (drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mouthwashes (therapeutic use)
• Nitrates (therapeutic use)
• Potassium Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Tooth Cervix