PurposeIn this study, the effect of calcium sodium phosphosilicate (NovaMin) desensitizing agent, which is a powder-based system, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate and glutaraldehyde (Gluma desensitizer), which is liquid-based system, on dentinal tubule occlusion was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. The effects of the above two along with one control group were compared to determine the more effective method of sealing the dentinal tubules after initial application.MethodsTwenty specimens were allocated to each of 3 groups: Control, Gluma desensitizer, and NovaMin. Two additional samples were also prepared and treated with Gluma and NovaMin; these samples were longitudinally fractured. The specimens were prepared from extracted sound human premolars and were stored in 10% formalin at room temperature. The teeth were cleaned of gross debris and then sectioned to provide one to two dentin specimens. The dentin specimens were etched with 6% citric acid for 2 minutes and rinsed in distilled water. Control discs were dried, and the test discs were treated with the desensitizing agents as per the manufacturer's instructions. The discs as well as longitudinal sections were later analyzed under the scanning electron microscope. The proportions of completely occluded, partially occluded, and open tubules within each group were calculated. The ratios of completely and partially occluded tubules to the total tubules for all the groups was determined, and the data was statistically analyzed using nonparametric tests and statistical significance was calculated.ResultsNovaMin showed more completely occluded tubules (0.545±0.051) while Gluma desensitizer showed more partially occluded tubules (0.532±0.075). The differences among all the groups were statistically significant (P≤ 0.05).ConclusionBoth materials were effective in occluding dentinal tubules but NovaMin appeared more promising in occluding tubules completely after initial application.

Background: Caries is highly prevalent multifactorial disease, but its progression can be prevented in the initial stage of demineralization through remineralization (RML). Various materials have been proposed for the same, successful outcome can prove to be a boon in the prevention of caries. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the RML potential of four commercially available agents so as to restore the enamel closest to its previous microhardness levels. Materials and Methods: Sixty permanent intact premolars were randomly divided into six groups: Four test groups – (1) bioactive glass (BAG) Novamin (SHY-NM), (2) nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) (Acclaim), (3) functionalized tricalcium phosphate (f-TCP) (Clinpro Tooth Crème), and (4) grape seed extract (GSE); one positive control – (5) fluoride (1000 ppm) containing dentifrice (Colgate Calci-Lock); and one negative control – (6) distilled water. The samples were initially evaluated for baseline surface microhardness (SMH); later on, these samples were placed in the demineralizing solution for 48 h in an incubator at 37°C, and postdemineralization again SMH was measured. Thereafter, the samples were subjected to the pH cycling for consecutive 21 days, and SMH was recorded. The SMH was evaluated using a Vickers microhardness tester. Statistical analysis was done using a post hoc Tukey test for each group based on the stage of treatment and one-way ANOVA for comparison among different groups. Results: BAG Novamin showed SMH recovery at 96.75% followed by f-TCP at 95.83%, nHAp at 90.88%, and GSE at 48.71%. Statistically significant differences were observed between the first three groups and the rest of the groups after RML stage. Conclusion: BAG Novamin, f-TCP, and nHAp showed considerable RML followed to a lesser extent by GSE.

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Dental caries is a highly prevalent multifactorial disease and is a major public health problem. A goal of modern dentistry is to manage enamel white spot lesions noninvasively and effectively an attempt to prevent disease progression and improve esthetics, strength and function. The progression of caries has been tried to be curbed at initial stage only but for that only use of fluoride application was suggested but with recent developments in dental materials other remineralization options as well as noninvasive masking procedure can be performed to attain best result. This article reviews all the materials and techniques mentioned in the literature to manage the world's most common disease in its initial stage only.