Caries-preventive activity of fluoride-containing resin-based desensitizers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different desensitizing agents on the prevention of root caries when applied to root surfaces.


METHODS
Thirty human roots were sectioned into quarters with a 3 × 4 mm window. A desensitizer (VX, Clinpro™ XT Varnish; SP, Seal & Protect®; or PB, Clearfil™ Protect Bond) was applied to three of the quarters in each window. Teeth were stored separately in water for one day, 30 days, or 60 days. The remaining quarter, without the application of desensitizer, served as a control. After storage in water, all specimens were subjected to pH cycling. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the demineralization bands created on the subsurface layer. The weight percentages of fluorine (F), silica, and calcium (Ca) were determined using electron probe microanalysis to quantify the elemental distributions in the root dentin. The concentrations of F released during a pH cycling were measured.


RESULTS
For the control group, the average lesion depth was 18.92 ± 5.42 μm, and the average Ca loss was 15.66% ± 6.80% in the superficial layer and 30.44% ± 9.61% in the subsurface layer. No Ca loss occurred in the desensitizer-treated groups. All desensitizing agents remained intact for at least 60 days. F levels were increased in the hybrid layer but not in the subhybrid area. Outward release of F diminished with time.


CONCLUSIONS
The F-containing resin-based desensitizers protected exposed root surfaces from demineralization. F liberated from the desensitizers was detected only at minimal levels.
Department of Conservative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Suhjin
S
Sohn
Keewook
K
Yi
Ho-Hyun
HH
Son
Juhea
J
Chang
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001641:Bicuspid; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003806:Dentin Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017213:Root Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; D019279:Resin Cements; D005459:Fluorides