Enhancing the efficiency of desensitizing agents with shockwave treatment – a new paradigm in dentinal hypersensitivity management

Abstract

Dentine sensitivity, characterised by a sharp dental pain is experienced by the population globally. Desensitizing toothpastes are prescribed to treat dentine hypersensitivity. These agents occlude the exposed dentine tubules thereby reducing fluid movement although the effect is not long lived. We have developed a novel system which uses micro-shockwaves in combination with commercially available desensitizing toothpastes to efficiently treat hypersensitivity. This method of treating hypersensitivity strongly blocks dentinal tubules making it resistant to erosion even by acid challenge. We, thus, report a novel method to manage hypersensitivity using the most minimally invasive technique which is potentially translatable to clinics.