Method of desensitizing hypersensitive dentin employing compositions containing potassium salts

摘要

A method for reducing sensory nerve activity in a hypersensitive tooth and for desensitizing hypersensitive dentin involves applying to the surface of exposed dentin of a subject's tooth a potassium salt selected from the group consisting of potassium bicarbonate and potassium chloride in an amount effective to reduce sensory nerve activity and to desensitize hypersensitive dentin of hypersensitive teeth. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, potassium bicarbonate is the potassium salt and is applied in a formulation, for example, an aqueous solution containing from about 1.0 to about 360.0 mg of potassium bicarbonate per ml of solution.