Clinical Evaluation of new microprocessor based instrument for Dentine hypersensitivity

Methods: Jay probe assessments were accomplished using several approaches.  With a cohort of 12 subjects, two experienced clinical examiners compared the repeatability of the Jay and Yeaple probes. A second evaluation of both probes was conducted during two independent parallel design clinical studies each enrolling 100 adults with Dentin Hypersensitivity (DH).  In each study, subjects were evaluated for DH responses after twice daily oral hygiene with a control fluoride toothpaste or a positive control dentifrice formulated with ingredients proven to reduce sensitivity i.e. potassium nitrate or 8% arginine calcium carbonate.  Tactile evaluations by the Jay and Yeaple probes were conducted at baseline and recall visits over the 8 week duration of each study.  Also evaluated at each visit were responses to evaporative factors and a patient reported DH assessment by visual analog scale (VAS). 

Results: Low inter-examiner variability with no significant differences between replicate measurements (p>0.05) were observed with the Jay probe. Subjects assigned toothpastes formulated with potassium nitrate or 8% arginine calcium carbonate demonstrated improvements in Yeaple, air blast and VAS responses in comparison to those assigned the fluoride dentifrice (p<0.05).  Jay Probe responses correlated significantly with all other sensitivity measures (p<0.05).  Differences between these treatments were observed at all post-treatment evaluations.

Conclusions: The Jay Probe demonstrated a smooth integration for clinical application with significant correlations with other DH evaluations.  In all assessments, this system offered a robust guidance solution for DH examination and will form a basis for its future evaluations.