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| Title |
Use of In-Office Fluoride Varnish Treatments are More Effective in Treating Symptoms of Dentin Hypersensitivity Than Desensitizing ToothPaste |
| Clinical Question |
For a patient with tooth sensitivity due to dentin hypersensitivity, will desensitizing toothpaste, as compared to in-office fluoride varnish application, be as effective in decreasing sensitivity within 3 months? |
| Clinical Bottom Line |
The application of fluoride varnish in-office results in more clinical improvement of dentin hypersensitivity than the use of desensitizing toothpastes alone. |
| Best Evidence |
(you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link) |
| PubMed ID |
Author / Year |
Patient Group |
Study type
(level of evidence) |
| #1) 23057701 | Lin/2013 | Adult patients with active dentin hypersensitivity | Systematic Review and network Meta-Analysis | | Key results | A systematic review of over 40 different studies of in-office desensitizing treatments revealed that most active in office treatment options, including professional fluoride varnish application, had significantly better treatment outcomes than placebo or desensitizing toothpaste in reducing dentin hypersensitivity from immediately to up to 9 months. The statistical comparisons between the placebo group and in office fluoride treatments (chemical occlusion group) was -2.33 (95% Cl: -3.65, -1.04) | |
| Evidence Search |
“In-office treatment for dentin hypersensitivity” |
Comments on
The Evidence |
The evidence reported is valid due to the method in which the results were achieved. Over forty randomized controlled trials revealed the amount of significant reductions in dentin hypersensitivity versus placebos. When a patient has dentin hypersensitivity it can affect their overall quality of life. |
| Applicability |
The information in this CAT can be applied to patients diagnosed with dentin hypersensitivity. While desensitizing toothpastes can provide some symptom relief to patients from potassium nitrate ingredients, this study shows that in office treatments, including fluoride varnish treatments, show more overall reduction in sensitivity. A clinician could also find this information beneficial when determining whether an in office desensitizing treatment or a desensitizing toothpaste would be more beneficial to a patient. |
| Specialty/Discipline |
(General Dentistry) (Dental Hygiene) |
| Keywords |
Dentin hypersensitivity, meta-analysis; randomized controlled trials; systematic review
|
| ID# |
2585 |
| Date of submission: |
08/29/2013 |
| E-mail |
Gallegly@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Author |
Lauren Gallegly |
| Co-author(s) |
Kaitlin Bell |
| Co-author(s) e-mail |
bellka@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Faculty mentor/Co-author |
Carol A. Nguyen, RDH, MS |
| Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail |
NguyenC@uthscsa.edu |
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) |
post a rationale |
| None available | |
|
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) |
post a comment |
| None available | |
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