Duration of Reduction of Dentinal Hypersensitivity after Prophylaxis with a Calcium/Arginine Bicarbonate Carbonate Paste

Dentinal hypersensitivity frequently occurs after scaling and root planing (SRP) and is a frequent reason that patients avoid this disease preventing therapy. Earlier (J. Dent. Res.80:1243, 2001) we demonstrated substantial reduction in sensitivity after SRP using a prophylaxis paste (ProClude™, Ortek Therapeutics, NY) containing a calcium/arginine/bicarbonate/carbonate complex which has been named SensiStat™. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine in a 28 day study the longevity of sensitivity relief after a single application of the ProClude™ prophylaxis paste. Methods: 21 subjects with canine and premolar teeth sensitive to air from a dental air syringe or scratch with the Scratchometer were selected. A total of 253 teeth were studied, 2/3 of which were non-sensitive to scratch and/or air. Non-sensitive teeth are always included as controls to ensure that a test agent does not increase dentinal sensitivity. After baseline evaluation for sensitivity to scratch and air, all subjects received SRP treatment. Sensitivity was immediately measured and repeated 3, 7, 4, and 28 days thereafter. ANOVA was performed for each testing method for both sensitive and non-sensitive teeth to determine significant differences. Results: Large reductions in sensitivity and in the number of sensitive teeth occurred immediately after the prophylaxis and the reductions were fully sustained for the 28-day study period. Sensitivity to air was reduced 71.7% and to scratch it was 84.2%. Sixty percent of the sensitive teeth became totally non-sensitive to air; 77.4% became totally non-sensitive to scratch. All changes were highly significant (p <0.001). Conclusion: A prophylaxis paste containing the calcium/arginine/bicarbonate/carbonate complex, SensiStat™ substantially reduced dentinal sensitivity for 28 days and there was no trend towards the return of sensitivity by the end of the study.