Comparative scanning electron microscope analysis of diode laser and desensitizing toothpastes for evaluation of efficacy of dentinal tubular occlusion

Abstract

Background:The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser alone and in combination with desensitizing toothpastes in occluding dentinal tubules (both partially occluded and completely occluded tubules) by scanning electron microscope (SEM).Materials and Methods:Fifty human teeth were extracted, cervical cavities were prepared and etched with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and smear layer was removed to expose the tubules. The teeth were divided into five groups: Group I – Application of NovaMin-formulated toothpaste, Group II – Application of Pro-Argin™-formulated toothpaste, Group III – Application of diode laser in noncontact mode, Group IV – NovaMin-formulated toothpaste followed by laser irradiation, and Group V – Pro-Argin™-formulated toothpaste followed by laser irradiation. After treatment, quantitative analysis of occluded dentinal tubules was done by SEM analysis.Results:The mean values of percentages of total occlusion of dentinal tubules in Groups I, II, III, IV, and V were 92.73% ± 1.38, 90.67% ± 1.86, 96.57% ± 0.64, 97.3% ± 0.68, and 96.9% ± 6.08, respectively. Addition of diode laser (Groups III, IV, and V) yielded a significant occlusion of the dentinal tubules when compared to desensitizing toothpastes alone (Groups I and II).Conclusion:Diode laser (Group III) has shown more efficacy in occluding dentinal tubules when compared with desensitizing toothpastes which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Among the five groups, NovaMin + diode laser (Group IV) showed the highest percentage of occluded dentinal tubules.

A Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Biomin F and Propolis Containing Toothpastes on Dentinal Tubule Occlusion with and Without Use of an Adjunct 810 nm Diode Laser

“…[ 17 ] after the application of Novamin and 980 nm GaAlA diode laser at 1 week (mean 73.81% of CO tubules at 1 week). Results are not comparable with the results reported by Ali et al .,[ 19 ] Han et al .,[ 20 ] and Reddy et al .,[ 21 ] who found mean percentage of 99.8% ± 3.3% (after the use of Nano-fluor-hydroxyapatite and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet [Nd-YAG] laser), 52% (after the use of Nano-carbonate apatite dentifrice and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet [Er: YAG] laser), and 97.33% (after the use of ProArgin and laser) CO tubules at 1 week. The differences in the results of various studies and variety of alterations in the morphology of dentin irradiation with 980 nm diode laser could be attributed mainly to various parameters of the lasers.…”

“…In Group 4, the result is not at par with the results reported by Rajeshwari et al .,[ 17 ] who reported only 20.22% of PO tubules after the application of Novamin and laser irradiation at 1 week. The mean number of CO tubules are not at par with the results reported by Han et al .,[ 19 ] Ali et al .,[ 20 ] and Reddy et al .,[ 21 ] who used nano-carbonate Apatite dentifrice and Er: YAG laser (52%), Nano-Fluor-Hydroxyapatite, and Nd: YAG laser (99.8% ±3.3%) and Novamin and 980 nm diode laser (97.33%), ProArgin + 980 nm diode laser (96.92%) respectively. Better results found in above studies could be attributed to the use of nano-sized particles along with laser.…”

“…The results of present approach (BioMin F + Laser) is at par with the results reported by Reddy et al . [ 21 ] where Novamin formulated toothpaste followed by diode laser irradiation were evaluated for the effectiveness in occluding dentinal tubules. When the effectiveness of Propolis and Propolis + laser in CO dentinal tubules was compared, Propolis + laser was found to be significantly more effective than Propolis alone (mean difference 9.8) ( P < 0.0001).…”

Evaluation of diode laser along with 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel on dentinal tubule occlusion: An in vitro study

“…Studies such as those done by Lan et al .,[ 10 ] Moritz et al .,[ 29 ] and Reddy et al . [ 30 ] found that the addition of additional chemical agents to lasers increased the effectiveness of dentinal tubule occlusion by up to 20%.…”

An In Vitro Comparison of 5% Potassium Nitrate and 8% Proargin Desensitizing Toothpaste: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

“…have shown that they have tubules that are more patent per unit area and twice as wide when compared to normal nonsensitive dentin. 11 The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of 5% potassium nitrate and 8% arginine containing desensitizing toothpastes on dentinal hypersensitivity by occluding the dentinal tubules after 14 days following daily brushing. In a transmission electron microscopic study, Yoshiyama et al concluded that dentinal tubule occlusion may be due to deposition of the intratubular dentin layer or substances in the tubules.…”