Managing dentine hypersensitivity in older adults with silver diamine fluoride: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

<p><em>Objectives:</em> This study aimed to investigate the desensitizing effect of topical application of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution on hypersensitive teeth due to exposed root surface in older adults.</p><p><em>Methods:</em> This trial recruited healthy older adults with dentine hypersensitivity. A trained examiner assessed all hypersensitive tooth-root surfaces with a blast of compressed cold air from a three-in-one syringe and participants gave a self-reported sensitivity score (SS) from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain). Participants received 38% SDF or 5% potassium nitrate (control) solution as intervention on the most hypersensitive tooth-root surface (with the highest pre-intervention SS) before being tested at the seond time and giving a second SS at the baseline visit. The same examiner assessed the most hypersensitive tooth-root surface with compressed cold air at 4-week and 8-week follow-up visits before intervention. The primary outcome was the change in SS in response to air stimulus at 8-week follow-up visit. Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted for data analysis after normality test of SS.</p><p><em>Results:</em> This trial recruited 148 older adults with 139 (94%) completed the study and being assessed at 8-week follow-up visit. The median percentage reduction in SS in the SDF and potassium nitrate groups were 60% and 50%, respectively (<em>p </em>< 0.001).</p><p><em>Conclusions:</em> According to this clinical trial, 38% SDF solution reduces dentine hypersensitivity on exposed root surface of older adults. Moreover, 38% SDF solution is more effective than 5% potassium nitrate solution in reducing dentine hypersensitivity on exposed root surface of older adults.</p>