Desensitizing toothpaste versus placebo for dentin hypersensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Pharmacology
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Dentin hypersensitivity is a common clinical condition.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for patient comfort and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the efficacy of various desensitizing toothpaste ingredients in managing dentin hypersensitivity.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, CENTRAL, and Embase databases.
• Thirty-one randomized controlled clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis.
• Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) were calculated for different active ingredients.

Main Results:

• Potassium-, stannous fluoride-, calcium sodium phosphosilicate-, and arginine-containing toothpastes demonstrated significant desensitizing effects compared to placebo.
• Potassium and stannous fluoride combination also showed a notable reduction in hypersensitivity.
• Strontium-containing toothpaste did not yield statistically significant results in reducing dentin hypersensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Sufficient evidence supports the use of potassium-, stannous fluoride-, calcium sodium phosphosilicate-, and arginine-based desensitizing toothpastes.
• Strontium-containing desensitizing toothpastes are not recommended based on the current evidence.
• These findings provide guidance for clinicians and patients in selecting effective treatments for dentin hypersensitivity.