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Meta-Analysis
. 2006 Jul 19;2006(3):CD001476.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001476.pub2.

Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity

S Poulsen  1 , M Errboe, Y Lescay Mevil, A-M Glenny
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity

S Poulsen et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity may be defined as the pain arising from exposed dentine, typically in response to external stimuli, and which cannot be explained by any other form of dental disease. Many treatment regimens have been recommended over the years, and in recent years particular attention has been focused on toothpastes containing various potassium salts.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of potassium containing toothpastes with control toothpastes in reducing dentine hypersensitivity.

Search strategy: The following databases were searched: Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (searched until August 2005); CENTRAL (until August 2005); EMBASE/MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science (until September 2005). Bibliographies of clinical studies and reviews identified in the electronic search were checked for studies published outside the electronically searched journals.

Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which the effect on dentine hypersensitivity of potassium containing toothpastes was tested against non-potassium containing control toothpastes.

Data collection and analysis: Two of the review authors independently recorded the results of the included trials using a specially designed form. Sensitivity was assessed by using thermal, tactile, air blast, and subjective methods.

Main results: Six studies were included in the meta-analysis which showed the statistically significant effect of potassium nitrate toothpaste on air blast and tactile sensitivity at the 6 to 8 weeks follow up, e.g. the meta-analysis of air blast sensitivity showed a standardized mean difference in sensitivity score of -1.25 (95% CI: -1.65 to -0.851) in favour of treatment. The subjective assessment failed to show a significant effect at the 6 to 8 week assessment.

Authors' conclusions: The evidence generated by this review is based on a small number of individuals. Furthermore, the effect varies with the methods applied for assessing the sensitivity. Thus no clear evidence is available for the support of potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

One of the review authors, Sven Poulsen (SP), was rewarded a prize from Zendium Inc., Denmark in 1997.

Figures

1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Potassium containing toothpaste (update), Outcome 1 Tactile.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Potassium containing toothpaste (update), Outcome 2 Air blast.
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Potassium containing toothpaste (update), Outcome 3 Subjective.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

References

References to studies included in this review

Nagata 1994 {published data only}
    1. Nagata T, Ishida H, Shinohara H, Nishikawa S, Kasahara S, Wakano Y, et al. Clinical evaluation of a potassium nitrate dentifrice for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 21 1994; Vol. 21, issue 3:217‐21. [MEDLINE: ] - PubMed
Schiff 1994 {published data only}
    1. Schiff T, Dotson M, Cohen S, Vizio W, McCool J, Volpe A. Efficacy of a dentifrice containing potassium nitrate, soluble pyrophosphate, PVM/MA copolymer, and sodium fluoride on dentinal hypersensitivity: a twelve‐week clinical study. Journal of Clinical Dentistry 1994;5 Spec No:87‐92. [MEDLINE: ] - PubMed
Schiff 1998 {published data only}
    1. Schiff T, Dos Santos M, Laffi S, Yoshioka M, Baines E, Brasil KD, et al. Efficacy of a dentifrice containing 5% potassium nitrate and 1500 PPM sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated calcium carbonate base on dentinal hypersensitivity. Journal of Clinical Dentistry 1998;9(1):22‐5. [MEDLINE: ] - PubMed
Schiff 2000 (2) {published data only}
    1. Schiff T, Zhang YP, DeVizio W, Stewart B, Chaknis P, Petrone ME, et al. A randomized clinical trial of the desensitizing efficacy of three dentifrices. Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry Supplement 2000;(27):4‐10. - PubMed
Silverman 1996 {published data only}
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Sowinski 2000 {published data only}
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References to studies excluded from this review

Brook 1994 {published data only}
    1. Brook A, Francis C, Joshi R, Reekie R, Bransbury D. Efficacy of a potassium nitrate toothpaste in dentinal hypersensitivity. Journal of Dental Research 1994;73(4):955 (Abs 130).
Chesters 1992 {published data only}
    1. Chesters R, Kaufman H, Wolff M, Huntington E, Kleinberg I. The effectiveness of potassium as a desensitizing agent in the presence of SMFP. Journal of Dental Research 1990;69(Spec Issue March):165 (Abs 454).
    1. Chesters R, Kaufman HW, Wolff MS, Huntington E, Kleinberg I. Use of multiple sensitivity measurements and logit statistical analysis to assess the effectiveness of a potassium‐citrate‐containing dentifrice in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1992;19(4):256‐61. [MEDLINE: ] - PubMed
Collins 1984 {published data only}
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Conforti 2000 {published data only}
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Cronin 1993 {published data only}
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Gillam 1996 {published data only}
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Hu 2004 {published data only}
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Jackson 1987 {published data only}
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Lecointre 1986 {published data only}
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Manochehr‐Pour 1984 {published data only}
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Perlich 1994 {published data only}
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Salvato 1989 {published data only}
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Salvato 1991 {published data only}
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Salvato 1992 {published data only}
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Schiff 2000 {published data only}
    1. Schiff T, Bonta Y, Proskin HM, DeVizio W, Petrone M, Volpe AR. Desensitizing efficacy of a new dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride. American Journal of Dentistry 2000;13(3):111‐5. - PubMed
Schwarz 1987 {published data only}
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Sidi 1991 {published data only}
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Silverman 1985 {published data only}
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Silverman 1988 {published data only}
    1. Silverman G, Gingold J, Clark GE. The effectiveness of KNO3 and NaMFP dentifrices in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. Journal of Dental Research 1988;67:247 (Abs 1076).
Silverman 1994 {published data only}
    1. Silverman G, Gingold J, Curro FA. Desensitizing effect of a potassium chloride dentifrice. American Journal of Dentistry 1994;7(1):9‐12. - PubMed
Sowinski 2000 (2) {published data only}
    1. Sowinski JA, Bonta Y, Battista GW, Petrone D, DeVizio W, Petrone M, et al. Desensitizing efficacy of Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength and Fresh Mint Sensodyne dentifrices. American Journal of Dentistry 2000;13(3):116‐20. - PubMed
Sowinski 2001 {published data only}
    1. Sowinski J, Ayad F, Petrone M, DeVizio W, Volpe A, Ellwood R, et al. Comparative investigations of the desensitising efficacy of a new dentifrice. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2001;28(11):1032‐6. - PubMed
Tarbet 1980 {published data only}
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Wara‐aswapati 2005 {published data only}
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West 1996 {published data only}
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West 1997 {published data only}
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Yates 2005 {published data only}
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Youssef 1995 {published data only}
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Zimmer 1998 {published data only}
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Additional references

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References to other published versions of this review

Poulsen 2000
    1. Poulsen S, Errboe M, Hovgaard O, Worthington HW. Potassium nitrate toothpaste for dentine hypersensitivity. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000, Issue 1. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001476] - DOI - PubMed