Clinical Comparison of 5% Potassium Nitrate and 10% Strontium Chloride Toothpastes in Alleviating Dentin Hypersensitivity Following Manual Scaling: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of dentifrices containing potassium nitrate and strontium chloride in reducing dentinal sensitivity pain. METHODOLOGY: A pilot study was conducted in Islamic International Dental Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan (Duration two weeks). Forty participants were selected, aged between 18-40 years, having dentin hypersensitivity with the minimum score of 4 on Visual Analog Scale. Participants were randomly allocated with dentifrices containing 5% w/w potassium nitrate and 10 % w/w strontium chloride and were asked to use it for 2 weeks and come back for follow up. Statistically significant correlations were found using the Man Whitney test. A pre-designed proforma was used to acquire information about the patient. Sensitivity was determined with the aid of the Visual Analog Scale. RESULTS: There was greater reduction in moderate pain from 85.8% to 71.4% with strontium chloride and from 84.2% to 79% with potassium nitrate. CONCLUSION: 10 % w/w strontium chloride is more effective than the 5% w/w potassium nitrate for the management of dentin hypersensitivity. KEYWORDS: Toothpastes, Sensitivity, Strontium Chloride, Potassium Nitrate HOW TO CITE: Kiani AZ, Hassan S, Rafiq T. Clinical comparison of 5% potassium nitrate and 10% strontium chloride toothpastes in alleviating dentin hypersensitivity following manual scaling: A pilot study. J Pak Dent Assoc 2021;30(1): 56-60.