Comparative investigation of the desensitizing efficacy of a new dentifrice: a 14-day clinical study

The effect on dentinal hypersensitivity from the use of a new formulation dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength Toothpaste, Colgate-Palmolive Co.) over a 14-day period was compared to a commercially available, nondesensitizing control dentifrice (Colgate Winterfresh Gel, Colgate-Palmolive Co.). A total of 66 subjects were entered into and completed the study. They were stratified into two balanced groups according to their baseline mean tactile (Yeaple Probe) sensitivity scores and air blast (thermal) sensitivity scores. The two groups were randomly assigned to use either the new formulation dentifrice or the commercially available control dentifrice. Participants were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute with their assigned dentifrice and a commercially available soft-bristled toothbrush. Dentinal hypersensitivity examinations (tactile and air blast sensitivity) were conducted at baseline and after 3, 7, 10, and 14 days' use of the products. All examinations were conducted by the same examiner. Participants who used the new formulation dentifrice containing potassium nitrate/stannous fluoride/silica demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in both tactile sensitivity and air blast sensitivity after 10 and 14 days' use of the dentifrice (p < 0.05), as compared to a commercially available control dentifrice. It was concluded that a new dentifrice formulation containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base provided a statistically significant reduction in dentinal hypersensitivity after only 10 days, as compared to a commercially available nondesensitizing control dentifrice.