Patients frequently report sensitivity of prepared abutment teeth during the temporization period and after the fnal cementation of full coverage restoration. Purpose of this clinical investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of desensitizing agents in reducing the pre- and postcementation sensitivity for full coverage restorations and to compare the relative effcacy of three in offce applied desensitizing agents in relieving the postcementation sensitivity with the use of glass ionomer luting cement.
Materials and methods: This study consisted of 30 patients requiring either full coverage restoration or 3 unit fxed partial denture. Total of 40 restorations (n = 40) were made and were randomly assigned into four groups comprising 10 restoration (n = 10) in each group. Group C control where no desensitizer application was done, group BB applied with BisBlock dentin desensitizer (Bisco Inc.), group ST applied with Systemp desensitizer (Ivoclar Vivadent), group GC applied with GC Tooth Mousse desensitizer (GC Asia). Desensitizer application was done immediately after the tooth preparation. Sensitivity of the tested abutment was determined by the patient response to cold, hot and bite stimuli and were recorded on visual analog scale (VAS). Sensitivity level scores was evaluated at 4 time intervals, i.e. 1 week after desensitizer application at baseline precementation appointment and others at 5 minutes, 1 day and 1 week postcementation appointment. VAS score data was statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey's test.
Results: BisBlock and GC Tooth Mousse desensitizer resulted in statistically signifcant (p < 0.01) reduction in postcementation sensitivity of glass ionomer cement in comparison to Systemp desensitizer at 5 minutes, 1 week postcementation time interval with no statistical difference was seen between all desensitizer groups at 1 day postcementation. Application of BisBlock and GC Tooth Mousse desensitizer resulted in highly signifcant (p < 0.01) reduction in sensitivity level at the end of 1 week.
Clinical significance: Desensitizer's application on the prepared abutment teeth is considerably effective in relieving both pre- and postcementation sensitivity for full coverage restoration over the short duration of time. Immediate reduction in postoperative sensitivity relatively in a short time period may be benefcial in terms of patient's comfort. Nonetheless, multicenter long-term clinical trials should be conducted to confrm the results.
Conclusion: Efficacy of BisBlock and GC Tooth Mousse desensitizer was more in relieving the postcementation sensitivity of glass ionomer cement at various time intervals in comparison to Systemp desensitizer. In conclusion, application of desensitizers was beneficial to reduce the pre- and postcementation abutment sensitivity.