Comparison of the clinical efficacy of a new dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1000 ppm fluoride to a commercially available sensitive toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion on dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This clinical study was designed to compare dentin hypersensitivity relief among subjects who brushed their teeth with a new toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1000 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP) to subjects who brushed with a commercially available dentifrice containing 2% potassium ion as potassium nitrate over an eight-week period.

METHODS: Adult male and female subjects from the New Delhi, India area were required to present two teeth that exhibited dentin hypersensitivity, both to tactile stimulation using the Yeaple Probe and to air blast stimulation delivered by a standard dental unit syringe. After an examination of the oral soft and hard tissues, qualifying subjects were randomly assigned one of the study dentifrices and a soft-bristled toothbrush, and were instructed to brush their teeth for one minute, twice daily (morning and evening), using only the toothbrush and dentifrice provided. No other oral hygiene practices were permitted over the course of the study. After two, four, and eight weeks of product use, subjects returned to the dental clinic for follow-up examinations of tactile and air blast sensitivity of the baseline-designated hypersensitive teeth. Examinations of the oral soft and hard tissues were also performed at these follow-up visits.

RESULTS: Subjects who brushed with the new dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1000 ppm MFP exhibited statistically significant reductions (p < 0.05) in dentin hypersensitivity in response to tactile (36.2%, 33.1%, and 29.7%) and air blast (16.4%, 31.1%, 58.8%) stimuli when compared to the subjects who brushed with the 2% potassium ion as potassium nitrate dentifrice after two, four, and eight weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The use ofa new dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1000 ppm MFP provides greater efficacy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity when compared to a dentifrice containing 2% potassium ion, as potassium nitrate, after two, four, and eight weeks of product use.