The effectiveness of an electro-ionizing toothbrush in the control of dentinal hypersensitivity.

The object of the investigation was to test the value of the 3M Brand Electro-Ionizing Toothbrush in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. Eighty-eight volunteers were divided into three groups, each using different methods: (I) stannous fluoride dentifrice and 3M brush without a battery; (II) stannous fluoride dentifrice and 3M brush with a 1 1/2 volt battery; and (III) strontium chloride dentifrice and 3M brush without a battery. The volunteers brushed their teeth for 3 minutes twice a day for 12 weeks using one of the three test agents. The subjects were tested at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 by means of a cold water spray quantitated by a temperature probe. All three groups experienced improvement and by week 12 Groups II and III displayed much less sensitivity than did Group I. At the end of the 12 weeks the subjects were questioned as to benefit of treatment. The questionnaire revealed that stannous fluoride with the ionizing brush provided significantly greater relief than did the stannous fluoride alone.