Aim: The aim of this clinical investigation was to compare the efficacy of fluoride varnish and potassium nitrate on the reduction of hypersensitivity of prepared teeth both pre and post cementation.
Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, patients who needed at least three single crowns fixed partial prosthesis were included. Two desensitizing agents including fluoride varnish and potassium nitrate were used in this study and compared to the control group (sterile saline). In each patient, each prepared tooth was randomly assigned to one group. The desensitizing agent was applied on prepared teeth immediately after tooth preparation. The sensitivity of the teeth was measured by means of an air sensitivity test based on the visual analog scale at five different time points: baseline (2 hours after preparation), 7 days after preparation, before cementation, after cementation and one-week post cementation. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests with a significant level of 0.05.
Results: Overall 300 vital abutment teeth needed full crown coverage in 100 patients were included. Both desensitizers' agents decreased the sensitivity of vital abutment teeth compared to the control group at every time intervals except at baseline (p = 0.089). There was no significant difference between fluoride varnish and potassium nitrate in the reduction of pre-cementation sensitivity while one week after cementation, sensitivity was more relieved by potassium nitrate compared to fluoride varnish (p = 0.023).
Conclusion: The application of both desensitizers is effective in sensitivity reduction of vital abutment teeth. Potassium nitrate, however, is more eligible one week after cementation compared to fluoride varnish.
Clinical significance: Both potassium nitrate and fluoride varnish are capable of desensitizing prepared tooth for the fixed partial denture.
Keywords: Fixed prosthodontics; Fluoride varnish; Hypersensitivity; Potassium nitrate Vital tooth preparation..