Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two desensitizing agents containing stannous fluoride and arginine bicarbonate in the reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity after ultrasonic scaling.

Materials and Methods: The subjects for this study were recruited from the outpatient department of Periodontology. About 90 subjects reported with the complaint of hypersensitivity immediately after ultrasonic scaling were chosen for the study. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria they were randomized into 3 groups with 30 patients representing each group. The study was approved by the “Institutional Review Board”. The patients were explained about the study and written informed consent was obtained from those who agreed to voluntarily participate in this study.

Results: Intergroup comparison among the three groups have revealed that dentin hypersensitivity in Group A (stannous fluoride) was statistically significant when compared to that of Group B (arginine bicarbonate) at 3^rd and 7^th day. The Visual Analogue Score (VAS) of Group A was found to be significantly lower than the VAS score of Group B.

Conclusion: It was concluded that compared to arginine bicarbonate, stannous fluoride has exhibited better effect in managing dentinal hypersensitivity.

Keywords: Arginine Bicarbonate; Dentinal Hypersensitivity; Desensitizer; Stannous Fluoride; Ultrasonic Scaling.

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L Karthik

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