[In vivo study of potassium oxalate gel in tooth hypersensitivity]

This study was aimed to test the effectiveness of a new desensitizing agent-30% potassium oxalate gel in tooth hypersensitivity. Thirty adult patients with 41 hypersensitive teeth were selected at Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, from September 1992 to March 1993. Sensitivity scales were measured as follows: (1) 0-no pain; (2) 1-mild pain; (3) 2-moderate pain; (4) 3-severe pain; (5) 4-pain continued after removal of stimulus. Both air blast and cold water stimuli were tested before and after using the new desensitizing agent. The response of each tooth was also compared before and after treatment according to each scale. The results showed that 30% potassium oxalate gel had a significant reduction in the responses to air blast and cold water (p < 0.05), suggesting that 30% potassium oxalate gel may be another agent of choice for tooth desensitization.