Dentin Hypersensitivity Reduction Efficacy of a Dentifrice Containing 5% KNO3

Objective: To determine if twice daily brushing with Colgate^® Sensitive Pro-Relief™ dentifrice containing 5% KNO₃ and 0.243% NaF (Test) or Sensodyne^® Extra Whitening dentifrice containing 5% KNO₃ and 0.243% NaF (Control), provides better dentin hypersensitivity relief over 2, 4 and 8 weeks of product use.

Method:

Ninety-six (96) subjects with established dentin hypersensitivity to tactile and air blast stimuli were assigned to one of the two study groups. Dentin hypersensitivity assessments as well as examinations of oral hard and soft tissues were conducted at the baseline visit of each subject. Subjects returned to the testing facility after brushing for one minute twice daily with their assigned product, and having refrained from all oral hygiene procedures and chewing gum for eight hours, and having refrained from eating and drinking for four hours prior to their scheduled visits.  Assessments of tactile hypersensitivity and air blast hypersensitivity, and examinations of oral soft and hard tissue were again conducted after two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks of product use.

Result: Ninety-five (95) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the eight-week double blind clinical study.  After 2, 4 and 8 weeks of product use, subjects assigned to use of the Test dentifrice demonstrated statistically significant (ANCOVA, p<0.05) improvements in tactile-induced dentin hypersensitivity (33.5%, 23.0% and 13.2% respectively)  and in air blast-induced dentin hypersensitivity (19.2%, 15.4% and 24.8% respectively), relative to subjects assigned to use of the Control dentifrice.

Conclusion: The Test dentifrice containing 5% KNO₃ and NaF provided statistically significant superior reductions in tactile and air blast-induced dentin hypersensitivity compared to the control dentifrice after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of product use.