J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2001 Apr;39(2):208-219.

The Effects Of Desensitizing Agents And Tooth Brushing On Dentin Permeability, In Vitro

• Lee JW
• Shim JS
• Lee KW

Abstract

To study the effect of dentin permeability on a tooth with wear from tooth brushing after application of desensitizing agent, extracted teeth free from caries were chosen. Coronal dentin discs with thickness of 1mm were prepared. Using the split chamber device developed by Pashely, hydraulic conductance, scanning electron microscope images (SEM) and atomic force microscope images (AFM) were compared and contrasted before and immediately after the application of desensitizing agent and after equivalent tooth brushing of 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks. Four commercially available desensitizing agents were used in this study: they were Gluma, Seal & Protect, All-Bond 2 and MS Coat. The results of this study are as follows. 1. On all specimens, the hydraulic conductance decreased after the application of tooth desensitizing agent. 2. Except the specimens treated with MS Coat, the remaining specimens had an increase in dentin permeability after tooth brushing for 1 and 2 weeks but a decrease after 6 weeks. 3. The specimens treated with MS Coat had statistically significant increase in the dentin permeability regardless with the duration of tooth brushing. 4. On examination of SEM and AFM, the dentinal tubule diameter had decreased after treatment of desensitizing agents. The specimens other than those treated with MS Coat, smear layers were noted after tooth brushing. It is not always consistent but the hydraulic conductance correlated with the images from SEM and AFM.

MeSH Terms

Dentin Permeability*
Dentin*
Tooth*