Calcium phosphate nanoparticles reduce dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized, placebo-controlled split-mouth study

Introduction: Modern strategies for dental remineralization and prevention of dentin hypersensitivity are increasingly based on biomimetic materials. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of a calcium-phosphate nanoparticles-based dentin desensitizer (DD, Teethmate Desensitizer, Kuraray Noritake, Japan). Methodology: 25 patients, requesting treatment after reporting sensitivity of non-carious cervical lesions and dental abrasions were recruited. Inclusion criteria were: response score ≥6 on a 10 cm-long visual analog scale (VAS) for 1+ teeth in each of two quadrants. Exclusion criteria were: presence of systemic diseases, ongoing analgesic therapy, pregnancy, presence of carious or pulpal lesions, poorly contoured restorations, enamel cracks, active periodontitis and ongoing use of desensitizing agents. The response was determined to 2 s air blast. VAS scores were collected at t=0 (PRE), immediately after treatment with the DD (POST), after 1 week, and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Half of the sites in each patient (split-mouth) were randomly treated with a placebo, and scores collected until after 1 week. The DD was then applied to the placebo sites. Results: Both DD and placebo significantly decreased VAS scores on POST confronted to PRE (p<0.0001), showing similar efficacy (35% and 28%, respectively). DD application further decreased scores after 1 week (63%) while placebo application did not show significant differences confronted to POST (p=0.09). DD scores maintained throughout the observational period the levels obtained after 1 week. Conclusion: The tested DD effectively reduced dentin hypersensitivity during 6-month followup, after one single application. Biomimetic desensitizers may be an effective solution to dentin hypersensitivity.