An In-vitro Comparison of Nano Hydroxyapatite, Novamin and Proargin Desensitizing Toothpastes - A SEM Study

INTRODUCTION: Dentinal Hypersensitivity (DH) is commonly encountered clinical condition in dental practice which affects 8-57% of the adult population presenting for dental treatment, but the treatment of the same remains doubtful. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of three different desensitizing agents (15% nano hydroxyapatite crystals; 5% novamin and 8% proargin) on dentinal permeability and tubule occlusion in-vitro. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the effect of these commercially available desensitizing toothpastes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 disc shaped dentin specimens were dissected from extracted premolars. Dentin discs of 1mm were obtained with the help of diamond discs. Ten specimens were randomly selected and allocated to the evaluation groups A (control group), B (Nano-hydroxyapatite), C (Novamin) and D (Proargin). Each treatment group dentine disc specimen was treated with the respective slurry for two minutes for a period of seven days. Each disc was subjected to a pre- and post-treatment SEM analysis to evaluate the changes occurring in the dentinal tubules. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis showed no occlusion of the dentinal tubules in Group A (control group) and Group B (nano-hydroxyapatite) showed 98.1% tubule occlusion. Group C (Novamin) and D (Proargin) showed 83.1% and 69.1% tubule occlusion respectively. Quantitative analysis showed a statistical significant difference between Group B and D (p< 0.005) and no statistical significant difference between group B and C (p= 0.235). Similarly, there was no significant difference between Group C and D as (p=0.235). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that all the three desensiting agents were effective in the dentine tubule occlusion. In addition efficacy of nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste was greater compared to the other desensiting agents.