Efficacy of an anhydrous stannous fluoride toothpaste for relief of dentine hypersensitivity: a randomised clinical study

AIM: To compare efficacy of an anhydrous 0.454% w/w stannous fluoride/sodium fluoride toothpaste (Test) versus a sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste (Negative control) and a stannous chloride/sodium fluoride toothpaste (Positive control) for dentine hypersensitivity relief after 8 weeks' twice-daily use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomised, examiner-blind, stratified, parallel study, primary and secondary efficacy variables were mean changes in Schiff score (evaporative [air] sensitivity) and tactile threshold (Yeaple probe), respectively, from baseline to Week 8 between Test (n=62) and Negative control (n=62). Test and Positive control (n=61) comparisons were exploratory objectives. RESULTS: All groups significantly improved from baseline on both dentine hypersensitivity measures (p<0.0001). Difference between adjusted mean changes from baseline in Schiff sensitivity scores at Week 8 for Test versus Negative control groups was 0.19 (95% CI 0.002, 0.374), in favour of the Negative control (p=0.0476; 12.57% difference). Difference in tactile threshold was -7.20g (95% CI -16.376, 1.975), this was not statistically significant (p=0.3715; -21.83% difference). Test group showed no significant difference versus Positive Control for either measure. Toothpastes were generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Whilst twice daily use of Test toothpaste significantly reduced dentine hypersensitivity from baseline, there was no significant advantage over negative or positive controls. STUDY REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT03310268.