Effectiveness of Desensitizing Agents

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of desensitizing agents for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. Seventy-five hypersensitive teeth in 10 patients were studied. These were divided into five groups of 15 hypersensitive teeth: group I, control (triple distilled water); group II, 10% strontium chloride; group III, 5% potassium nitrate; group IV, 2% sodium fluoride; and group V, 40% formalin. The stimulus used to test thermal sensitivity was cold water at 15 degrees C, 10 degrees C, 5 degrees C, and 0 degrees C applied on every alternate day for 10 days. Results showed that 10% strontium chloride solution, 2% sodium fluoride solution, and 40% formalin solution significantly reduced dentin hypersensitivity, whereas a 5% solution of potassium nitrate did not.