The impact of different desensitizing agents on dentin permeability

Abstract

The exposure of dentinal tubules, dentin permeability and dentin hypersensitivity are closely related. This study evaluated the dentin permeability treatment using two desensitizing agents: nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAP) and strontium chloride (SrCL2). Thirty healthy third molars were extracted for orthodontic reasons from patients aged 18 to 30 years. 5x5x1mm specimens were obtained from the selected molar crowns and were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups (n = 10): GC- no desensitizing treatment, stored only in distilled water; GE- application of 10% strontium chloride for 5 min on the dentin surface; GnHAP- application of n-HAP following the same protocol used for GE. An in vitro fluid transport model was used for the measurement of dentin hydraulic conductance, associated with qualitative analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results of flow (Q) and hydraulic conductance of dentin (Lp) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, with Tukey post-hoc test, α = 5%. The mean Q and Lp of the CG group differed statistically (p<0.01) from the GE and GnHAP groups, which were similar to each other (p>0.05). Photomicrographs obtained from the GC specimens showed more open dentinal tubules when compared to GE and GnHAP. It was concluded that desensitizing treatments with SrCL2 and n-HAP were effective in reducing dentin permeability.