Comparative Evaluation of Conservative Management of Dentine Hypersensitivity

Introduction: Various therapies have also been used in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity and several workers concluded that the efficacy of most of these therapies seems not well established and unpredictable. Aim: To assess the clinical responses of hypersensitive teeth after the application of four (4) different desensitizing agents. Methods: All consecutive adult patients diagnosed of hypersensitivity at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex over a period of thirteen months. The experimental agents (Copal varnish (Henry Schein. Ref. 100-0045), Gluma Comfort bond plus Desensitizer, Duraphat 2.26% F (Colgate), 2% sodium fluoride solution and Desensitron, were assigned to the involved teeth using systematic random sampling technique. In all, 30 teeth were allocated to each of the four agents for treatment and clinical responses assessed over 8 week's period. Hypersensitivity patterns were recorded by application of two stimuli (tactile stimulus and air-blast)before and after application of the agents.The degree of hypersensitivity was determined according to the Verbal Rating and Visual Analogue Scales Data collected during the evaluation period revealed the patients subjective answers according to the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and were analyzed Results: All the agents caused statistically significant reduction in dentine hypersensitivity (p<0.05)over the 8-week period of the study. Duraphat, Gluma and Iontophoresis showed no statistically significant difference among themselves in reducing dentine hypersensitivity (P>0.05). The highest number of teeth that had total abrogation of pain within 24 hours of treatment was observed among the teeth that received Gluma followed by Iontophoresis. Copal vanish had the least. Conclusion: Gluma, Iontophoresis and Duraphat may be employed for immediate relief of dentine hypersensitivity with Gluma being the most effective while Copal varnish should be used in combination with other agents.