Objective: The purpose of this 6-month clinical investigation was to evaluate tooth sensitivity after application of a desensitizing agent compared to a control. Methods: Thirty-two male and female subjects, having at least one tooth sensitive to a tactile stimulus and one tooth sensitive to a thermal stimulus, were evaluated for oral soft tissue abnormalities, tactile sensitivity (Yeaple probe) and thermal sensitivity (air) at the baseline visit. Sixteen of the subjects received an application of a gluteraldehyde-based desensitizer (Systemp®) while the other sixteen subjects received a placebo on those teeth identified as sensitive. Clinical measurements were repeated immediately after application and at 1, 3 and 6-months. Only those teeth identified as sensitive at baseline were tested at these visits. Results: Findings indicated that the response to both tactile and thermal stimuli was always numerically better in the test group when compared to the control over the 6-month duration of the study. Also, change from the baseline for the tactile stimulus, at the one-month visit, was statistically significant for the test group (p=0.006) but not for the control (p=0.092). The mean change from baseline for the thermal stimulus in the test group was twice that of the control and statistically significant immediately after placement (p=0.019) compared to a non significant change for the control group (p=0.068) and was 50% greater at 1-month. Conclusions: These results suggest that the test desensitizing agent may offer benefits in the reduction of thermal and tactile sensitivity. Supported in part by a grant from Ivoclar North America, Inc.

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