Comparison of the Clinical Effectiveness of Self-Etch Adhesive and Fluoride Varnish in Reducing Dentin Hypersensitivity in Patients with Gingival Recession: A Randomized Clinical Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2026.16.1.1251Abstract
Background: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a frequent and distressing clinical condition, particularly among patients with gingival recession, where exposed dentin reacts painfully to thermal, tactile, and evaporative stimuli. Despite the availability of numerous desensitizing agents, no single treatment has been universally accepted as the gold standard, and evidence comparing commonly used modalities remains limited.
Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of a self-etch dentin adhesive and sodium fluoride varnish in reducing dentin hypersensitivity in patients with gingival recession.
Methodology: This double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Peshawar Dental College. A total of 150 patients with dentin hypersensitivity associated with gingival recession were enrolled and randomly allocated into two treatment groups. After accounting for losses to follow-up, 142 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Group 1 received sodium fluoride varnish, while Group 2 was treated with a self-etch dentin adhesive. Pain intensity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) following tactile and evaporative stimuli at baseline, immediately after treatment, at one week, and at one month.
Results: The mean age of participants was 32.5 ± 7.21 years, with 38% males and 62% females. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (p > 0.05). Repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant reduction in pain over time in both groups (p < 0.001), with a significant time × treatment interaction (p < 0.001). Fluoride varnish showed significantly greater immediate pain reduction (p = 0.004), whereas the self-etch adhesive demonstrated superior pain reduction at one month (p = 0.001). No significant difference was observed at the one-week follow-up.
Conclusion: Both sodium fluoride varnish and self-etch dentin adhesive were effective in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. Fluoride varnish provided superior immediate relief, while the self-etch adhesive offered more sustained pain reduction at one month, suggesting its potential advantage for long-term management of dentin hypersensitivity.
Keywords: Dentin Hypersensitivity, Self-Etch Dentin Adhesive, Sodium Fluoride Varnish.
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