Effect of generation 4.0 polyamidoamine dendrimer on the mineralization of demineralized dentinal tubules in vitro

Objective: Dentine hypersensitivity is a type of clinical oral disease, which is highly prevalent worldwide. Although there are many materials to treat dentine hypersensitivity, their long-term therapeutic effects are not satisfactory. Therefore, the aim of this research was to observe and identify the biological mineralization of the generation 4.0 polyamidoamine dendrimer on the demineralized dentinal tubules at different time points. Design: 2 mm-thick slices were obtained from the cemento-enamel junction of 36 third molar teeth that simulated the condition of sensitivity with acid etching. Slices were treated with generation 4.0 polyamidoamine dendrimer and peptide bond condensing agent, while no treatment was applied on the slices of the control group. Following immersion in artificial saliva for 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks respectively, the mineralization condition of dentine slices was observed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the differences in the samples of dental slices between the 2 groups were also detected using the microhardness test. Results: SEM results showed that the average diameter and density of the dentinal tubules in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The microhardness test exhibited a similar result, which suggested that the microhardness of the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Generation 4.0 polyamidoamine dendrimer promotes the biomineralization of demineralized dentinal tubules. Moreover, this result also suggests that the 4.0th generation polyamidoamine dendrimer has the potential value for dentine hypersensitivity treatment. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.