Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of desensitizing agents in dentine tubule occlusion using scanning electron microscopy

BackgroundDentine hypersensitivity (DH) occurs on exposed dentine and is dependent on the patency of dentinal tubules. This study compared the effectiveness of red propolis extract (RPE), calcium sodium phosphosilicate (Novamin) and arginine-calcium carbonate (ACC) in occluding dentine tubules. MethodsEighty dentine discs from extracted human molars were randomly divided into four groups (n=20): Group 1 - RPE; Group 2 - Novamin; Group 3 - ACC; Group 4 - saline. The discs were etched with 37.5% phosphoric acid and treated with the test agents. Ten treated discs from each group were then exposed to 6% citric acid challenge. The extent of tubule occlusion was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three blinded assessors scored each SEM image on the degree of tubule occlusion. Differences in occlusion were tested using ANOVA and Tukey adjustment. ResultsDiscs treated with ACC demonstrated more tubule occlusion, followed by RPE and Novamin, and were greater in statistical significance when compared to discs treated with saline. Following acid challenge, RPE treated discs maintained more occlusion, followed by ACC and Novamin. ConclusionsAll three agents demonstrated tubule occlusion. Although ACC showed more occlusion following treatment, RPE demonstrated a higher degree of occlusion following acid challenge.