Comparative Effectiveness of Desensitizing Agents for the Management of Dentin Hypersensitivity: A Systematic Review
Authors
Department of Dental, UTHSC College of Dentistry, TN, USA (America)
Department of Dental, UTHSC College of Dentistry, TN, USA (America)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1305000056
Subject Category: Management
Volume/Issue: 13/5 | Page No: 617-625
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-05-06
Accepted: 2026-05-11
Published: 2026-05-28
Abstract
Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a common clinical condition characterized by short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to thermal, tactile, osmotic, or chemical stimuli. Numerous desensitizing agents have been introduced to manage this condition, yet their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review evaluates the clinical performance and mechanisms of action of commonly used desensitizing agents, including potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, arginine calcium carbonate, nano hydroxyapatite, resin based sealants, and laser therapy.
Keywords
Dentin hypersensitivity; desensitizing agents; stannous fluoride; potassium nitrate
Downloads
References
1. Addy M. Dentin hypersensitivity: Definition, prevalence, distribution and aetiology. J Clin Periodontol. 2002;29(Suppl 2):7–15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Rees JS, Addy M. A cross sectional study of dentine hypersensitivity. J Clin Periodontol. 2002;29(11):997–1003. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. West NX, Lussi A, Seong J, Hellwig E. Dentin hypersensitivity: Pain mechanisms and aetiology of exposed cervical dentin. Clin Oral Investig. 2013;17(Suppl 1):S9–S19. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Orchardson R, Gillam DG. Managing dentin hypersensitivity. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006;137(7):990–998. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Bekes K, Hirsch C. What is known about the influence of dentin hypersensitivity on oral health related quality of life? Clin Oral Investig. 2013;17(Suppl 1):S45–S51. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Brännström M. The hydrodynamic theory of dentinal pain: Sensation in preparations, caries, and the dentinal crack syndrome. J Endod. 1986;12(10):453–457. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Markowitz K. Pulpal pain pathways and the role of potassium nitrate in desensitizing dentifrices. J Clin Dent. 2010;21(3):87–92. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Winston AE, Charig A. The role of stannous fluoride in tubule occlusion. Caries Res. 2001;35(1):69–74. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Kleinberg I. A new saliva based composition for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. J Clin Dent. 2002;13(1):1–5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Huang S, Gao S, Yu H. Effect of nano hydroxyapatite concentration on remineralization of initial enamel lesions in vitro. Biomed Mater. 2009;4(3):034104. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Pashley DH. Dentin permeability, dentin sensitivity, and treatment through tubule occlusion. Oper Dent. 2002;27(3):211–217. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Gerschman JA, Ruben J, Gebart Eaglemont J. Low level laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 1994;12(2):87–92. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Matsumoto K, Funai H, Shirasuka T. Effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on hypersensitive dentin. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2002;20(6):363–367. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Porto IC, Andrade AK, Montes MA. Diagnosis and treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. J Oral Sci. 2009;51(3):323–332. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Orchardson R, Gillam DG. The efficacy of potassium salts in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. Arch Oral Biol. 1994;39(Suppl):S203–S208. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Schiff T, Delgado E, Zhang YP. Clinical evaluation of a dentifrice containing 5% potassium nitrate. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2000;21(1):35–40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Pradeep AR, Sharma A. Comparison of two desensitizing agents: A randomized controlled trial. J Periodontol. 2012;83(1):16–22. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Docimo R, Montesani L, Maturo P. Clinical evaluation of an arginine based desensitizing toothpaste. Am J Dent. 2009;22(1):13–17. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Amaechi BT, Lemke KC, Saha S. Clinical efficacy of nano hydroxyapatite dentifrice in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. Am J Dent. 2015;28(1):33–38. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Vano M, Derchi G, Barone A. Effectiveness of nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste in reducing dentin hypersensitivity: A randomized clinical trial. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2014;15(1):34–41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. West NX, Macdonald EL, Jones SB. Stannous fluoride dentifrice: Clinical evidence and mechanisms. J Dent. 2011;39(Suppl 2):S3–S8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Schiff T, Zhang YP, DeVizio W. A clinical investigation of the efficacy of a dentifrice containing stabilized stannous fluoride. J Clin Dent. 2006;17(2):45–50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Cummins D. The arginine bicarbonate/calcium carbonate technology for dentin hypersensitivity. J Clin Dent. 2009;20(1):1–9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Petrou I, Heu R, Stranick M. A breakthrough therapy for dentin hypersensitivity: Pro Argin technology. J Clin Dent. 2009;20(1):23–31. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Shetty S, Kohad R, Yeltiwar R. Hydroxyapatite as a biomimetic oral care ingredient. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2010;14(1):1–5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Kim YJ, Kim BI. Nano hydroxyapatite and dentin tubule occlusion. J Dent Res. 2011;90(Spec Iss A):Abstract 345. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Orsini G, Procaccini M, Manzoli L. A double blind randomized clinical trial comparing three desensitizing agents. J Periodontol. 2010;81(3):431–437. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Yilmaz HG, Kurtulmus Yilmaz S. Clinical evaluation of diode laser and topical agents in dentin hypersensitivity. Photomed Laser Surg. 2011;29(12):721–725. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Lopes AO, Aranha AC. Comparative evaluation of Nd:YAG and diode lasers for dentin hypersensitivity. Lasers Med Sci. 2013;28(3):709–715. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Sgolastra F, Petrucci A, Severino M. Laser therapy for dentin hypersensitivity: A meta analysis. J Dent Res. 2013;92(6):492–499. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Gillam DG, Seo HS, Newman HN. Treatment of dentin hypersensitivity using dentin bonding agents. J Clin Periodontol. 2001;28(12):1101–1107. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Breschi L, Gobbi P, Mazzoni A. Dentin bonding systems and hypersensitivity. Oper Dent. 2008;33(4):389–396. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Aranha AC, Eduardo CP. Effects of Er:YAG laser on dentin hypersensitivity. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;35(4):265–272. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. Sgolastra F, Petrucci A, Gatto R. Laser vs. desensitizing agents: A systematic review. J Clin Periodontol. 2011;38(8):714–725. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Orchardson R. Mechanisms of pain in dentin hypersensitivity. Clin Oral Investig. 2013;17(Suppl 1):S29–S35. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Canadian Advisory Board on Dentin Hypersensitivity. Consensus based recommendations. J Can Dent Assoc. 2003;69(4):221–226. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. Gillam DG, Orchardson R. Advances in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. Periodontol 2000. 2000;24:31–46. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. West NX. Dentin hypersensitivity: Preventive and therapeutic approaches. Int Dent J. 2008;58(5):375–384. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Miglani S, Aggarwal V, Ahuja B. Dentin hypersensitivity: Recent trends in management. J Conserv Dent. 2010;13(4):218–224. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
40. Banerjee A, Paolinelis G. Dentin hypersensitivity: A review. Prim Dent J. 2014;3(4):66–71. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
41. Holland GR, Narhi MN, Addy M. Pain mechanisms in hypersensitive teeth. Arch Oral Biol. 1997;42(12):845–853. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
42. Brännström M, Åström A. The hydrodynamic theory revisited. Acta Odontol Scand. 1972;30(3):291–304. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
43. Cummins D. Dentin hypersensitivity: From diagnosis to management. J Clin Dent. 2011;22(4):100–107. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
44. Orchardson R, Gillam DG. Managing cervical dentin hypersensitivity. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006;137(7):990–998. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
45. Arrais CA, Giannini M. Bonding agents and dentin hypersensitivity. Oper Dent. 2003;28(5):543–551. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
46. Lopes AO, Aranha AC. Laser therapy mechanisms. Lasers Med Sci. 2013;28(3):709–715. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
47. Sgolastra F, Petrucci A. Laser therapy systematic review. J Clin Periodontol. 2011;38(8):714–725. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
48. West NX, Joiner A. Enamel and dentin erosion. J Dent. 2014;42(Suppl 1):S2–S11. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
49. Addy M, West NX. Etiology of dentin hypersensitivity. Dent Clin North Am. 1996;40(3):440–457. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
50. Gillam DG. Clinical management of dentin hypersensitivity. Dent Update. 2017;44(1):33–40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
51. Orchardson R. Pain pathways in dentin. Arch Oral Biol. 1994;39(Suppl):S203–S208. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
52. Walters PA. Dentinal hypersensitivity: A review. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2005;6(2):107–117. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
53. Canadian Advisory Board. Consensus on hypersensitivity. J Can Dent Assoc. 2003;69:221–226. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
54. West NX. Clinical management strategies. J Clin Dent. 2011;22(4):100–107. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
55. Aranha AC, Eduardo CP. Laser induced dentin changes. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;35:265–272. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
56. Lopes AO. Laser vs. topical agents. Lasers Med Sci. 2013;28:709–715. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
57. Petrou I. Pro Argin technology. J Clin Dent. 2009;20:23–31. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
58. Shetty S. Hydroxyapatite biomimetics. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2010;14:1–5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
59. Amaechi BT. n HAp clinical efficacy. Am J Dent. 2015;28:33–38. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
60. Vano M. n HAp vs. arginine. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2014;15:34–41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
61. Singh P, et al. Stannous fluoride vs. arginine. J Periodontol. 2017;88(3):295–302. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
62. Yilmaz HG. Diode laser outcomes. Photomed Laser Surg. 2011;29:721–725. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
63. Matsumoto K. Er:YAG laser effects. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2002;20:363–367. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
64. Gerschman JA. Nd:YAG clinical outcomes. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 1994;12:87–92. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
65. West NX. Stannous fluoride mechanisms. J Dent. 2011;39(Suppl 2):S3–S8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- The Indirect Effect of Liquidity and Activity on Company Value with Profitability as an Intervening Variable
- Effect of Financial Skills, Knowledge, and Attitude on The Financial Behaviour of Clergy
- A Decade of Review: Trends in Budget Execution and Financial Performance of Development Projects in Tanzania (2014/15-2023/24)
- The Influence of Pre-Project Planning on the Budget Absorption Rate of Public Funded Infrastructure Projects in Kenya a Comparative Case Study of Narok, Migori, and Kisii County Government Projects
- Assessment of Factors Influencing Digital Transformation in Hotels’ Facility Management in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria