Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity

 

Abstract

Background

Dentine hypersensitivity may be defined as the pain arising from exposed dentine, typically in response to external stimuli, and which cannot be explained by any other form of dental disease. Many treatment regimens have been recommended over the years, and in recent years particular attention has been focused on toothpastes containing various potassium salts.

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness of potassium containing toothpastes with control toothpastes in reducing dentine hypersensitivity.

Search methods

The following databases were searched: Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (searched until August 2005); CENTRAL (until August 2005); EMBASE/MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science (until September 2005). Bibliographies of clinical studies and reviews identified in the electronic search were checked for studies published outside the electronically searched journals.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which the effect on dentine hypersensitivity of potassium containing toothpastes was tested against non-potassium containing control toothpastes.

Data collection and analysis

Two of the review authors independently recorded the results of the included trials using a specially designed form. Sensitivity was assessed by using thermal, tactile, air blast, and subjective methods.

Main results

Six studies were included in the meta-analysis which showed the statistically significant effect of potassium nitrate toothpaste on air blast and tactile sensitivity at the 6 to 8 weeks follow up, e.g. the meta-analysis of air blast sensitivity showed a standardized mean difference in sensitivity score of -1.25 (95% CI: -1.65 to -0.851) in favour of treatment. The subjective assessment failed to show a significant effect at the 6 to 8 week assessment.

Authors' conclusions

The evidence generated by this review is based on a small number of individuals. Furthermore, the effect varies with the methods applied for assessing the sensitivity.
Thus no clear evidence is available for the support of potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity.

 

Plain language summary

Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity

Dentine hypersensitivity is a sharp, sudden pain arising from the teeth when exposed to touch or hot and cold foods. If dental disease is not the cause of the pain, toothpastes containing potassium have been recommended to reduce tooth sensitivity. This review of trials found there was not enough evidence to show that potassium is effective in desensitising teeth. More research is needed.

 

摘要

背景

含Potassium牙膏對於控制象牙質敏感的成效

象牙質敏感可以定義為因曝露的象牙質所引發的疼痛，通常是對外來刺激的反應，而且是無法用其他任何牙齒疾病來解釋的。幾年來已有許多治療方法被建議使用，而在近幾年，尤其是關注在含有各式potassium鹽類的牙膏。

目標

比較含potassium牙膏與對照組牙膏對於降低象牙質敏感的效果。

搜尋策略

從以下幾個資料庫搜尋: Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (搜尋到 2005年8月); CENTRAL (到2005年8月); EMBASE/MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science (到2005年9月)。發表在電子可搜尋期刊之外的研究則由搜尋出的臨床研究及回顧文獻的目錄去檢查。

選擇標準

選擇比較含potassium牙膏與對照組未含potassium牙膏對於象牙質敏感控制效果的隨機對照試驗(RCTs)。

資料收集與分析

有兩位回顧作者各自使用特別設計的表格記錄所包含的臨床試驗的結果。敏感性評估則是利用溫度，觸覺，吹氣，及主觀的方法。

主要結論

共有6個研究包含在此統合中，在6至8週的觀察中，含potassium nitrate牙膏在吹氣及觸覺敏感上有統計學上明顯的效果,舉例而言，對於吹氣敏感的metaanalysis中可以看出在敏感指數的標準化平均值的差異是 −1.25 (95% CI: −1.65 to −0.851)，支持治療的效果。但在6至8週主觀評估中，卻沒有明顯的效果。

作者結論

此回顧所提供的證據是基於一小部份人，而且依照用來評估敏感的方式不同而有不同的效果。所以並無明確證據顯示含potassium牙膏對象牙質敏感有效。

翻譯人

本摘要由臺灣大學附設醫院張玉芳翻譯。

此翻譯計畫由臺灣國家衛生研究院(National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan)統籌。

總結

象牙質敏感是當牙齒接觸或冷或熱的食物所引起的急劇的，短暫的疼痛。倘若牙齒的疾病並非是造成疼痛的原因，則含potassium牙膏向來被建議使用於降低牙齒敏感，但在此回顧中發現並無足夠證據顯示potassium對於降低牙齒敏感有效果。還需要更多的研究。