This study showed that titanium tetrafluoride (TiF 4 ) varnish and solution were less effective than sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish and potassium oxalate gel in reducing dentin hydraulic conductance. Therefore, TiF 4 might be not successful against dentin hypersensitivity (DH), whereas NaF varnish or potassium oxalate gel could benefit patients with DH.
SUMMARYDentin hypersensitivity (DH) is related to an increase in dentin permeability. This study tested the effect of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF 4 ) compared with sodium fluoride (NaF) and potassium oxalate gel on reducing hydraulic conductance (Lp) from the perspective of diminishing dentin permeability. The Lp of the dentin disks (1.0 6 0.2 mm) was evaluated using Flodec. The maximum Lp values of each disk were taken after phosphoric acid etching (15 seconds) and randomly allocated to seven groups (n=8) according to the treatments. The minimum (smear layer) and the maximum (after acid etching) Lp values were recorded. Treatments were performed for 4 minutes as follows: 1) NaF varnish 2) and solution (2.45% F, pH 5.0), 3) TiF 4 varnish and 4) solution (2.45% F, pH 1.0), 5) 3% potassium oxalate gel, 6) free fluoride varnish (placebo, pH 5.0), 7) and no treatment (control). The Lp after each treatment was assessed. Samples were exposed to an erosive challenge (6% citric acid, pH 2.1, 1 minute), and the final Lp was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using repeat-