Clinical evaluation of the Jay Sensitivity Sensor Probe: a new microprocessor-controlled instrument to evaluate...

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a common clinical condition.
• Accurate measurement of DH is crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.
• Existing methods for assessing DH include tactile, thermal, and patient-reported outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of the novel Jay Sensitivity Sensor Probe (Jay Probe).
• To compare the Jay Probe against established DH assessment methods: Yeaple Probe, air blast, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
• To assess the repeatability and correlation of the Jay Probe with other sensitivity measures.

Main Methods:

• The Jay Probe's repeatability was assessed by two examiners on 12 subjects.
• Two parallel clinical studies involved 100 adults each, using the Jay Probe and Yeaple Probe.
• Subjects used either a fluoride, potassium nitrate, or arginine/calcium carbonate dentifrice for 8 weeks.
• DH was assessed using tactile probes, air blast, and VAS at baseline and recall visits.

Main Results:

• The Jay Probe demonstrated low inter-examiner variability and high repeatability.
• Treatments with potassium nitrate or arginine/calcium carbonate dentifrices significantly improved DH scores compared to fluoride.
• Jay Probe measurements showed significant correlation with Yeaple Probe, air blast, and VAS scores.
• Treatment differences were consistently detected across all assessment methods.

Conclusions:

• The Jay Probe is a reliable and repeatable instrument for assessing dentin hypersensitivity.
• The Jay Probe effectively correlates with established methods for measuring DH.
• This new probe offers a valuable tool for clinical trials and research in managing DH.