Comparative Evaluation of Pro-Argin Based Dentifrice and Carbon Dioxide Laser in the Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Dentin hypersensitivity is a common painful clinical condition affecting 72.5-98% of periodontal patients. It has been observed in approximately half of the patients following scaling and root planing. The current opinion based on Brannstrom hydrodynamic theory suggests dentin tubule occlusion as a logical treatment for dentin hypersensitivity. AIM: To compare the dentinal tubule occluding ability of Pro-Argin based dentifrice and Carbon Dioxide Laser in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty single rooted human teeth extracted due to advanced periodontal disease were used in this study. The teeth were scaled and root planed. Thirty dentin discs were prepared and randomly divided into three groups. In group I, the specimens were stored in Distilled Water (DW); in group II, the specimens were brushed with Pro-Argin based dentifrice (PA); in group III, the specimens were irradiated with Carbon Dioxide Laser (CDL). All the specimens were fixed and observed under scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The Carbon Dioxide Laser group showed the maximum number of completely occluded tubules followed by Pro-Argin and Distilled Water group. Pro-Argin group showed more number of partially occluded tubules than the other two groups. The reduction in tubule diameter was also highest in carbon dioxide laser group. CONCLUSION: The Carbon dioxide laser proved to be most efficient in the occlusion of patent dentinal tubules. The partial tubule occlusion achieved by Pro-Argin is also valuable as decrease in the tubule diameter causes decrease in the pain due to dentinal hypersensitivity.