Comparison of using calcium hydroxide or a dentine primer for reducing dentinal pain following crown preparation: a randomized clinical trial with an observation time up to 30 months.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of a calcium hydroxide suspension [Ca(OH)2] or glutaraldehyde based dentine primer (GDP) to reduce tooth sensitivity after full crown preparation. Thirty-six patients were treated with Ca(OH)(2) on one tooth and with GDP on another. Patients completed a questionnaire regarding sensitivity during crown preparation, when the not-anaesthetized abutments were irritated [cotton pellet (20 degrees C)]. The teeth were tested before (T(0)) and after using the desensitizer (T(1)), again after 7 days (T(2)), 6 months (T(3)) and 30 months (T(4)). The results were registered on a visual analogue scale [0 (no pain)-100 (severe pain)]. The changes of tooth sensitivity between different testing times were analysed. The median and the (interquartile range) for the different time intervals for Ca(OH)(2) were DeltaT(0)-T(1): 5 (6-17), DeltaT(0)-T(2): 17 (14-32), and for GDP, DeltaT(0)-T(1): 9 (7-18) DeltaT(0)-T(2): 18 (16-33), the decreases in sensitivity were lower for DeltaT(0)-T(1) than for DeltaT(0)-T(2) for both desensitizers (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the agents (DeltaT(0)-T(1), DeltaT(0)-T(2), DeltaT(3)-T(4)). Both substances might be useful in reducing tooth sensitivity after crown preparation, but no differences in the efficacy were found when comparing the materials.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes