Effect of desensitizing toothpastes on dentin

• Published in: Brazilian oral research Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 410 - 417
• Main Authors: Pinto, Shelon Cristina Souza, Silveira, Camila Maggi Maia, Pochapski, Márcia Thaís, Pilatt, Gibson Luiz, Santos, Fábio André
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica - SBPqO 01-09-2012; Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica
• Subjects: Animals; Dentin - drug effects; Dentin Desensitizing Agents; Dentin Desensitizing Agents - pharmacology; Dentin Permeability - drug effects; Dentin Sensitivity - drug therapy; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Models, Animal; Organ Size; Rats; Reproducibility of Results; Smear Layer; Surface Properties; Toothbrushing; Toothbrushing - methods; Toothpastes; Toothpastes - pharmacology; Toothbrushing; Toothpastes; Dentin Desensitizing Agents
• ISSN: 1806-8324; 1807-3107; 1807-3107; 1806-8324
• DOI: 10.1590/S1806-83242012000500006

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of toothbrushing with desensitizing toothpastes on dentin permeability and dentinal tubule occlusion. Fifty rats provided two hundred incisor teeth divided into five groups: DW, brushed with distilled water (control); FT, brushed with fluoride toothpaste; SCT, brushed with strontium chloride toothpaste; PCT, brushed with potassium citrate toothpaste; and PNT, brushed with potassium nitrate toothpaste. Cavities were prepared to expose the dentinal tubules, and the incisor teeth were brushed using the experimental agents. After each treatment, Evans blue dye solution was applied to the teeth. Dentin permeability was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-rays (EDX). There were significant differences (p < 0.0001, ANOVA) among the groups regarding dentin permeability, number of dentinal tubules, diameter of dentinal tubules, and opened tubular area. In the SCT, PCT and PNT groups, opened and partially occluded tubules, deposits, and a few smear layers were observed. In the DW and FT groups, most of the dentinal tubules were open, with no deposits or smear layers on the dentin. EDX revealed peaks of calcium and phosphorus in all of the groups, as well as traces of strontium in the SCT group and of potassium in the PCT and PNT groups. Desensitizing toothpaste decreased dentin permeability, although it produced only partial dentin tubule occlusion.