Effect of commercially available nano-hydroxy apatite containing desensitizing mouthwash on dentinal tubular occlusion: an in vitro FESEM analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dentinal hypersensitivity is a significant clinical problem encountered in daily dental practice. The management of this condition requires a good understanding of the complexity of the problem, as well as the variety of treatments currently available. The treatment approaches can be either home care products or professionally applied desensitizing agents. The present in-vitro study was designed to investigate the dentinal tubule occluding ability of commercially available nano HA containing mouthwash using FESEM analysis. METHODS: In the present in vitro study, 15 human premolars and canines were taken and sectioned mesiodistally. A total of 30 dentinal samples were obtained. All the dentinal discs were etched with 6% citric acid for 2 minutes. The treated samples were washed thoroughly with distilled water for 30 seconds. Samples were divided in two groups of 15 each. The specimens in Group I were shaken vigorously in the Vitis Sensitive mouthwash for 2 min twice daily for 14 days. After this intervention samples were placed in distilled water. Group II specimens were immersed in distilled water. Samples were subjected to FESEM to analyze for tubular occlusion. RESULTS: In group I nearly complete dentinal surface occlusion was present on the 7(th) and 14(th) day and precipitates were seen covering a large part of the dentinal surface. In group II no dentinal tubular occlusion was observed. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study support the ability of nHA containing Vitis sensitive mouthwash to occlude the dentinal tubules and thus it may demonstrate a significant reduction in dentinal hypersensitivity when used clinically.