The null hypothesis was rejected based on the study findings, which showed that the toothpaste formulation containing 15% propolis significantly reduced DH (measured by VAS in response to tactile and evaporative stimuli), in comparison to the placebo toothpaste after 30 days; while 10% propolis group was statistically different from the placebo group only in terms of evaporative stimulus. Reduction in DH achieved by the experimental toothpastes was progressive and similar over the 30-day treatment period. These findings suggest that this toothpaste formulation with propolis can potentially reduce DH. Despite the significant differences between the experimental and placebo groups, improvements in DH scores were also observed in the placebo group. The overall reduction in DH could be attributed to placebo effect, oral hygiene and dietary guidelines given to the participants [29–32].
The promising results observed for propolis therapy in the present study can be accredited to bioflavonoids. These polyphenols reduce DH by interacting with dentin and form crystals that occlude the dentinal tubules [33–35]. Research has shown that propolis can stimulate the formation of reparative dentin, which could reduce dentin permeability and improve DH [13, 33]. Another possible factor associated with occlusion of dentinal tubules is the presence of natural resinous substances in propolis, which may have a binding mechanism similar to dental adhesive materials such as composite resin or varnish [36, 37]. Although most studies have demonstrated the ability of propolis to reduce DH, variation in results among studies may be due to different botanical origins, extractions, preparations, and delivery methods [38].
The concentration of propolis has not been standardized till date. Clinical studies have used concentrations ranging between 10%-40%, and there are few studies which have compared the effect of different concentrations of propolis on DH [12, 13, 34, 37–39]. Studies reported that varying the concentration of propolis did not increase the effectiveness of treatment [34, 39], indicating that different concentrations may be efficacious in reducing DH. In the present study, both the concentrations used resulted in reduced DH, and the difference in use of toothpaste containing 10% and 15% propolis was not significant. This implies that the effectiveness of propolis in reducing DH is not dose dependent. However, it has been noted that higher concentrations of propolis provides greater relief, and this finding warrants further study in the future [39].
Control of DH with desensitizing toothpastes has been proposed as one of the first alternatives, especially in cases with limited or invisible loss of dental hard tissue [32]. In general, desensitizing treatments with toothpastes are non-invasive, reversible, easily available (in pharmacies and supermarkets), and have a good cost-benefit ratio, especially compared to products of professional use [27, 32]. In addition, toothbrushing is a common habit and does not impose any additional obligation on the patient [32]. Direct comparison of results obtained in this clinical trial with other studies was not possible since this was the first clinical study to investigate the effect of this compound in the form of a toothpaste for treatment of DH. However, ointments containing propolis are commercially available for the treatment of numerous oral conditions [36, 40]. In the previous studies, propolis was used as a topical solution (alcohol- or water-based), and applied to hypersensitive teeth using a micro brush or a truncated needle [13, 39, 41–43].
Mahmoud et al [44] conducted a pioneering in vivo study exploring the effect of propolis on DH. In this study, propolis was applied twice daily to hypersensitive teeth, and it was concluded that propolis had a positive effect in controlling DH [44]. Recent studies also confirm the effectiveness of propolis in reducing DH, even in comparison to products already established for the treatment of DH, such as 5% potassium nitrate [13], amorphous phosphopeptide calcium phosphate casein (CPP-ACP) [42], and dentin adhesives [39, 41]. Propolis shows an immediate effect on the painful symptomatology of DH, which appears to last over a prolonged period of time [41]. It is likely that the immediate relief is due to the tubular sealing effect, and the long-lasting effects are due to the stable nature of deposits formed [33–35, 41].
Pain is a subjective experience and is dependent on several factors, such as psychological profile, previous experiences of pain, and anxiety levels [32]. It is recommended that DH be measured by using more than one clinical stimulus (since different forms of stimulation are associated with different outcomes) and that appropriate scales are used, such as the VAS [30]. In the present study, effectiveness of treatment on DH symptomatology was initially assessed using the less severe tactile stimulus; and after an interval, the evaporative stimulus was applied [45]. Differences in pain scores on VAS with tactile stimulus may be attributed to the difficulty in standardizing the passage of explorer probe over hypersensitive dentin [7]. Furthermore, not all the exposed dentin surface includes areas of DH, and the location of this area may change between assessments [29].
The efficacy of propolis toothpastes in treatment of DH needs further investigation. Longer follow-up period of participants is important to clarify long-term effectiveness. In addition, future studies should compare propolis toothpastes with toothpastes containing traditional ingredients of DH treatment (inclusion of a positive control). Further studies are needed to assess other concentrations of propolis in toothpastes, and to investigate safety issues and dose-benefit ratio, with focus on the therapeutic dose needed to treat DH with minimum potential side effects. Although propolis is considered harmless, there are reports of some individuals who have experienced adverse effects from propolis; however, these effects have not been studied adequately [46].