Clinical Trial of Toothpastes for Treating Dentin Hypersensitivity

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of toothpaste containing functionalized tricalcium phosphate, Clinpro™ 5000 (f-TCP) in relieving dentin hypersensitivity (DHS), compared to a desensitizing toothpate, Sensodyne™ with Novamin® (Novamin) and standard fluoride toothpaste, Colgate-regular™ (Fluoride).
Methods: This is a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, clinical trial. Patients diagnosed with DHS, and qualified to participate in the study, were enrolled and randomized into three study groups, f-TCP, Novamin, and Fluoride. 174 subjects completed the study as follows, f-TCP (63), Novamin (60) and Fluoride (51). Subjects’ baseline and post-treatment sensitivity were assessed using two pain scales, a 4-point Dental Pain Scale (DPS) followed by a linear Visual Analog Scale (VAS), after the application of either ice-cold or air stimulus. Subjects used their respective toothpaste as their sole oral hygiene product for 6 weeks, brushing twice daily for 2 minutes on each occasion. Post-treatment sensitivity (Efficacy) was assessed every two weeks. The mean treatment outcomes (and percentage change from baseline) at each time point were compared with the Tukey (HSD) test for multiplicity (p <0.05).
Results: With either air or cold stimulus, VAS and DPS indicated significant (P<0.0001) reduction in DHS at each time point with either Novamin or f-TCP but not with Fluoride. No significant difference in DHS reduction between Novamin and f-TCP, but both are significantly (P<0.0001) better than Fluoride.
Conclusions: Functionalized-TCP-containing toothpaste and novamin®-containing toothpaste were equally more efficacious in relieving dentin hypersensitivity than standard fluoride toothpaste.