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| Title |
NovaMin (Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate) Dentifrices Reduce Dentinal Hypersensitivity More Than Potassium Nitrate Dentifrices |
| Clinical Question |
In healthy adult patients, do NovaMin dentifrices reduce symptoms of dentinal hypersensitivity more than dentifrices containing potassium nitrate? |
| Clinical Bottom Line |
For patients with dentinal hypersensitivity, NovaMin dentifrices reduce symptoms more than potassium nitrate dentifrices. This is supported by two randomized controlled trials where NovaMin reduced symptoms significantly more than potassium nitrate. NovaMin is an acceptable treatment alternative to potassium nitrate dentifrices. |
| 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) 25425819 | Satyapal/2014 | 60 adult patients with dentinal hypersensitivity | Randomized Controlled Trial | | Key results | The median sensitivity to both air stimulus and cold water as measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) for 5% Novamin (n=30) was significantly lower than that of 5% potassium nitrate (n=30) when measured after 3 weeks of product use (P<0.001) and later, 3 weeks after cessation of product use (P<0.001). | | #2) 24455046 | Acharya/2013 | 20 adult patients with dentinal hypersensitivity | Randomized Controlled Trial | | Key results | After 2 weeks of treatment the 5% Novamin group showed a 40.34% reduction in the visual analog scale (VAS) for senstivity to ice application while the 5% potassium nitrate group showed a 24.79% reduction in the VAS, which was a significant difference (P = 0.0254). However, there was no significant difference in the groups at 4-week and 8-week recall (P = 0.1130 and P = 0.1252, respectively). | |
| Evidence Search |
("potassium nitrate"[Supplementary Concept] OR "potassium nitrate"[All Fields]) AND desensitizing[All Fields] |
Comments on
The Evidence |
Validity: The Satyapal study was a randomized controlled trial that treated both groups but was not double-blinded. The Acharya study was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, which adds to its validity; the group size in this study (10 patients in each group) seems too small for the results to be generalizable to the population at large. If the authors had used more than 20 patients, then the evidence would have been more convincing. Both studies used adequate follow-up criteria and analyzed their patients using the same system (Visual Analog Scale). Neither study showed conflicts of interest.
Perspective: One issue with products used to treat dentinal sensitivity is that in most cases any improvement from symptoms is temporary and does not persist after treatment has ceased. The Satyapal study did test for a lingering effect of the two dentifrices; however, the overall time of this trial was short (3 weeks of treatment + 3 weeks post-treatment data). A similar but longer trial might simulate real-world use of these products better.
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| Applicability |
Dentinal hypersensitivity is a common condition, and many patients ask their dentist or hygienist for treatment recommendations. NovaMin and potassium nitrate are dentifrices that are applied in the same manner and provide a noninvasive treatment option for patients with dentinal hypersensitivity. The cost of NovaMin (calcium sodium phosphosilcate) dentifrices is slightly greater than potassium nitrate dentrifices, which might deter some patients. Another downfall to NovaMin would be a possible allergic reaction to the active ingredients. However, NovaMin seems to be a safe and effective option for patients suffering from dentinal hypersensitivity. Patients should be informed that NovaMin has been shown to provide relief that is superior to potassium nitrate in the short run; however, the difference between the two products diminishes the longer the patient uses the product. |
| Specialty/Discipline |
(General Dentistry) |
| Keywords |
Dentinal hypersensitivity, potassium nitrate, NovaMin, calcium sodium phosphosilicate
|
| ID# |
3059 |
| Date of submission: |
04/13/2016 |
| E-mail |
woolseys@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Author |
Sarah Woolsey |
| Co-author(s) |
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| Co-author(s) e-mail |
|
| Faculty mentor/Co-author |
Kelly C. Lemke, DDS |
| Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail |
lemkeK@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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