Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of home-use desensitizing agents over an 8-week period by comparing them using different measurement methods.
Methods: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted with 180 individuals aged between 18-70 who clinically diagnosed DH in two or more non-adjacent teeth. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria (n=164) were randomly allocated into five test groups—using Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), Arginine, Novamin, Propolis, and Potassium nitrate—and a control group using standard fluoride toothpaste. Status of DH was assessed at week 4 and week 8 by the same independent examiner. Changes from baseline in Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire-15 (DHEQ-15), Schiff Sensitivity Scale (SSS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were analysed using ANOVA and Kruskall Wallis tests.
Results: All test groups showed statistically significant improvements in DH at weeks 4 and 8 compared to baseline in the DHEQ-15, VAS, and SSS assessments (p<0.005). In the control group, significant improvements were observed only in the VAS and SSS measurements from baseline to weeks 8 (p<0.005). The CPP-ACP group demonstrated the greatest reduction in scores by the end of week 8 compared to baseline, with DHEQ-15 (56.68±17.87), VAS (6.52±1.48), and SSS (2.32±0.56).
Conclusions: Home-use desensitizing agents effectively treat DH, with the CPP-ACP group being the most effective and the Novamin group relatively less effective.
Clinical relevance: Some home-use desensitizing agents may be more effective in the treatment of DH. In particular, CPP-ACP can be recommended for patients with DH.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06216262.
