The Gluma bonding system: a clinical evaluation of its various components for the treatment of hypersensitive root dentin.

This study investigated the desensitizing effect of topically-applied Gluma on sensitive cervical erosion lesions. A total of 46 teeth exhibiting moderate to severe sensitivity to cold and instrumentation, in 15 patients, were included in the study. Mildly sensitive teeth and teeth with cervical caries lesions were excluded from the study. After each tooth was isolated with rubber dam, investigators applied cold air, as well as tactile stimuli using an explorer, and recorded the baseline responses. Nine of the 46 teeth then received Gluma primer only (group 1), 15 received cleanser followed by primer (group 2), 15 received cleanser followed by primer and sealer (group 3), and seven received a placebo (group 4). After two weeks, the teeth in group 4 were randomly placed in one of the other three groups. The responses of the teeth in each group to various stimuli were recorded immediately after the application of test materials, and subsequently at one week, two weeks, one month, three months, six months and one year. Statistical analysis indicates that the three treatment groups all showed significant differences compared to the untreated control group (p < .001). A reduction of sensitivity was noted immediately after primer, cleanser-primer, or cleanser-primer-sealer was applied. Treatment groups 2 and 3 demonstrated less sensitivity than group 1 (p = .02; p = .03, respectively). At the one-year recall, the observed order of treatment effectiveness by group was 2, 3, 1. In approximately 50 per cent of the teeth treated in the study, remission of sensitivity was seen after one year. All of the remaining teeth exhibited some relief of sensitivity. The treatments' success was found to be inversely proportional to the severity of the initial response.