Effect of in-office desensitizers containing calcium and phosphate on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the performance of calcium/phosphate desensitizing agents when used for dentin permeability and tubule occlusion. Methods1 mm-thick dentin specimens were immersed in 17% EDTA solution and allocated into 7 groups: 1. Clinpro White Varnish, 2. Clinpro XT Varnish, 3. Teethmate Desensitizer, 4. Desensibilize Nano P, 5. Nupro prophylaxis paste, 6. Duraphat (reference product), and 7. Control (no treatment). After treatment, specimens were submitted to erosion-abrasion cycling for 5 days. Dentin permeability was assessed by hydraulic conductance (n = 10) and environmental scanning electron microscopy ESEM (n = 8) post-EDTA, post- treatment and post-cycling. The percentage of permeability (%Lp) was calculated post-treatment and post-cycling. ImageJ software was used to obtain the number of open dentin tubules (ODT) in the micrographs. Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). ResultsPost-treatment, the %Lp values of all treatments were significantly lower than the control, with Nupro presenting higher %Lp values than Duraphat. All the groups presented significantly lower %Lp values in the post-treatment in comparison with the post-cycling period, except the control. Post-treatment, all groups showed lower numbers of ODTs than the control, except Nupro. Clinpro WV, Clinpro XT, Duraphat and Nano P presented the best results. Post-cycling, there was no significant difference among groups. Clinpro WV and Duraphat presented lower numbers of ODTs post-treatment than they had post-cycling, and the control had a higher number of ODTs post-treatment than they had post-cycling. ConclusionsMost treatments were efficient in reducing both dentin permeability and number of ODTs after treatment; however, none of the products were able to resist the erosive-abrasive challenges.