Dentinal Tubule Occluding Efficacy of Three Nano Biomaterials Containing Toothpastes on Simulated Hypersensitive Dentin: An SEM and EDX In-vitro Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Dentin Hypersensitivity (DH) is a common dental issue characterised by sharp pain in response to stimuli. Desensitising toothpastes provide lasting relief by sealing dentinal tubules. In recent years, new home-use desensitising products incorporating nano biomaterials have been developed. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of nano biomaterials such as Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp), Novamin, and Pro-Argin in occluding dentinal tubules for the treatment of DH. Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study was conducted in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics at Ranjeet Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, from October 2017 to April 2019. A total of 105 extracted maxillary premolars were divided into five groups: a no-treatment group (n=5), a control group (Sodium Fluoride) (n=25), and three experimental groups (n=25) using n-HAp, Novamin, and Pro-Argin, respectively. An Oral B cross-action toothbrush with a customised jig machine was used along with the experimental toothpaste for two minutes daily for two months. All samples were sectioned and subjected to Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) for chemical characterisation. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for comparison of the mean number of dentinal tubules and Calcium to Phosphorous (Ca/P) ratio. Paired comparisons were carried out using Tukey’s post-hoc test. Results: It was observed that the n-HAp-containing toothpaste had the highest number of completely occluded tubules (546.00±49.96), and the Ca/P ratio of enamel (1.87±0.41) was higher than that of the other experimental groups (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The n-HAp-containing toothpaste reported the highest efficacy in occluding dentinal tubules followed by Novamin, Pro-Argin, and regular toothpaste at the end of two months. All three tested toothpastes containing nano biomaterials had remineralisation potential.

Keywords

• desensitising toothpaste
• nanoparticles
• scanning electron microscope