The rôle of a dentine-bonding agent in reducing cervical dentine sensitivity

This double-blind split-mouth trial with 16 adult patients investigated the ability of a dentine bonding agent (DBA) to reduce cervical dentine sensitivity. Following stimulation of pairs of teeth by conventional tactile and air blast stimuli, together with controlled evaporative and cold fluid stimuli, sensitivity was recorded using tactile threshold, visual-analogue scale (VAS) and short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SFMPQ), prior to and 1 week following treatment with DBA. Prior to assessment, subjects recorded their perceived overall sensitivity using VAS and SFMPQ. Application of each stimulus was separated by 10 min. Sensitivity was recorded by a clinician blinded to the treatment status of each tooth. The control tooth was treated by applying DBA to coronal enamel. Dietary information was collected after the post-treatment assessment. There was a significant (p<0.05) improvement in tactile threshold and air flow and air blast VAS scores, together with reductions in sensitivity to evaporative stimuli when assessed by SFMPQ. Treatment response was not influenced by the subjects' age, gender, diet, use of fluoride-containing or silica-based toothpastes or fluoride mouthwashes, or a history of previous sensitivity treatment. It is concluded that topical application of DBA is an effective way to reduce cervical dentine sensitivity.