Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) comparison of dentinal tubule occlusion effected by a dentifrice containing NovaMin to that of diode laser (810nm)

Abstract

Introduction: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) due to exposed dentine is common among periodontitis patients. The present study compares & evaluates the dentinal tubule occlusion achieved with NovaMin® containing dentifrice & 810 nm diode laser by means of SEM. Materials and Methods: Sixty human premolar dentin discs of 2mm thickness were sanded with wet 600-grit carborundum paper and treated with 17% EDTA. Specimens were allotted to three groups of twenty each: Group 1- Control group, Group 2 –NovaMin® containing dentifrice application, Group 3 - lased with 810 nm diode laser. The proportion of completely occluded tubules and of partially occluded tubules to the total tubules (CO/TT & PO/TT) in the three groups were calculated, and analyzed. Results: Both NovaMin® and Laser demonstrated more complete and partial occlusion of tubules than control group. The incidence of complete occlusion was more with NovaMin®, but that of partial occlusion was similar to diode laser group. Conclusions: Although dentinal tubules occlusion was effective by both NovaMin®& diode laser (810 nm), NovaMin® produced a more complete occlusion of dentinal tubules. Keywords: Dentin hypersensitivity, Diode laser, Dentinal tubule occlusion, Scanning electron microscope.