Effect of a 3% Potassium Oxalate Topical Application on Dentinal Hypersensitivity After Subgingival Scaling and Root Planing

Abstract

The present study aimed to verify the effect of a single application of 3% potassium oxalate gel compared to a placebo gel immediately after subgingival scaling and root planing (SRP) on dentinal hypersensitivity (DH). Fifteen patients undergoing periodontal treatment volunteered for this randomized controlled clinical trial. They presented with periodontitis on homologous contralateral canines and premolars, with complaints of dentinal hypersensitivity before periodontal therapy. Immediately after SRP under local anesthesia, the test and placebo agents were randomly applied on the cemento-enamel junction. Evaluation of DH reduction after treatment was self-reported, with assessment made by the patient's indication of how painful each treated. tooth was on a visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline, and 7, 14, and 21 days post-treatment. The results were analyzed by DH percent reduction for each observational moment in relation to baseline, for test and control teeth separately. Mean percent reductions for each group were compared by paired sample t test, with an alpha level of 0.05. On day 7, percent reduction for the test and control groups was 29.4% and 13.4%, respectively. On day 14 it was 64.6% and 20.5%, and on day 21 it was 81% and 34.7%, respectively. Significant differences between treatments were observed at 14 and 21 days. It may be concluded that subgingival scaling and root planing followed by a single application of a 3% potassium oxalate gel resulted in a significantly higher reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity at 14 and 21 days, when compared to the placebo.