Methods: Following a review of 93 relevant papers from searching both electronic databases (PUBMED) and hand searching of relevant written journals, 13 studies were identified, 10 papers (3 for Strontium based toothpastes and 7 for Potassium based toothpastes) were finally accepted for inclusion. The extraction of data for inclusion was conducted by two reviewers. The main outcome measures were the methodology and assessment used by Investigators in studies to designed to evaluate DH.
Results: The results of the present study following a review of the included studies would indicate that the reported efficacy for both Strontium and Potassium based toothpastes in relieving DH was highly questionable. One of the problems, however, in evaluating the efficacy of these products was the lack of homogeneity (study design and conduct) between the various test and control products and variations in the clinical methodology used by to evaluate DH.
Conclusions: In conclusion the results from the present study would appear to support the conclusions of previous Investigators that there is only minimal evidence for the efficacy of these products in relieving symptoms from DH.