The effectiveness of desensitizing agents for the treatment of cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS)--a review.

The treatment of dentine sensitivity or cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS) has been in the form of dentifrices, mouth rinses, sealants, and other therapeutic techniques. Claims of efficacy of the "so-called" active ingredients of these desensitizing agents have been made on the basis of the proposed mode of action generally extrapolated from in vitro or animal studies. Evidence from published, well-controlled clinical studies, however, generally has failed to substantiate such claims, although there has been a reported significant reduction in discomfort by subjects participating in these studies. Currently, the most accepted mechanism of intradental nerve activity associated with dentine sensitivity appears to be hydrodynamic in nature, although other mechanisms cannot be eliminated. The concept of tubule occlusion as a method of dentine desensitization is a logical conclusion from the hydrodynamic hypothesis. This paper reviews the present position with regard to the treatment of dentine sensitivity by various desensitizing agents and evaluates their claims of efficacy in the context of available scientific evidence.