Dentinal tubule obliteration using toothpastes containing sodium trimetaphosphate microparticles or nanoparticles

ObjectivesThis in vitro study evaluated the effect of microparticles (TMPmicro) or nanoparticles (TMPnano) TMP associated with fluoride (F) in toothpaste formulations on the obliteration of dentinal tubules (DT).Materials and methodsThe dentinal tubules of bovine dentin blocks were unobstructed by immersion in 37% phosphoric acid solution. Blocks (n=20/group) underwent mechanical brushing (2x/day) during 7days with toothpastes: placebo, 1100ppm F, and 1100 with 3% TMPmicro or 3% TMPnano. After that, ten blocks of each group were immersed in citric acid (pH 3.2) for 1min. The number, diameter and area of unobstructed DT, atomic % of chemical elements from precipitates, and the mineral concentration were quantified. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test (P<0.05).ResultsToothpastes containing TMPmicro and TMPnano promoted greater obliteration of DT and greater mineral concentration compared to other groups (P<0.05). Placebo and 1100ppm F group presented similar obliteration but 1100ppm F group promoted higher mineral concentration. Higher Ca/P ratios were observed in groups treated with TMP; the acid challenge reduced Ca/P ratio for all groups. The atomic % of C and N was significantly lower for TMP toothpastes before acid challenge, but increased afterwards.ConclusionsIt was concluded that the addition of TMPmicro or TMPnano to F toothpastes produced greater obliteration of dentinal tubules and higher mineral concentration when compared with 1100ppm F.Clinical relevanceBy the addition of TMP, fluoride toothpastes may occlude the dentinal tubules, with potential to reduce dentin hypersensitivity.