Effectiveness of Systemp.desensitizer in controlling dentinal hypersensitivity

Objectives:This study reports the effectiveness of Systemp.desensitizer (Ivoclar-Vivadent), which contains polyethylenglycol-dimethacrylate and glutaraldehyde in an aqueous solution, when used both with and without an acid-etch step, in treating dentinal hypersensitivity in UK dental practice patients. Method: After ethical approval, 10 dentists, with 91 suitable patients, were recruited from two practice-based research groups. Systemp.desensitizer was applied to the hypersensitivity areas, with 50% of cases etched with 35% phosphoric acid pre-application. Patients self-assessed their sensitivity before treatment, immediately post-treatment, and at one week, one month and three months by scoring their sensitivity on a proforma with 10cm Visual Analogue Scales, where no sensitivity scored zero, and severe sensitivity scored 10. Results: To date, 69 patient forms (76%), to 3 months, had been received. The data was analysed statistically, determining pain reduction and assessing any differences between etched (E) and non-etched (NE) groups. Overall, about 80% (80% for NE, 78% for E) of patients reported a reduction in pain immediately after treatment, rising to 90% (91% for NE, 87% for E) after one week, 91% (88% for NE, 95% for E) after one month and 93% (94% for NE, 90% for E) at 3 months, indicating a different pattern of change in pain score across the two groups. There were significant reductions in pain scores for both groups at all time points, but there was no significant difference between E and NE groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that Systemp.desensitizer was effective in reducing pain from dentinal hypersensitivity in the patients treated, and this was unaffected by whether the tooth was acid etched prior to resin application. The support of Ivoclar-Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein is acknowledged.