title: Combined effects of Er:YAG laser and nano-carbonate apatite dentifrice on dentinal tubule occlusion: in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the occluding effects of Er:YAG laser and dentifrice containing nano-carbonate apatite (n-CAP) on the dentinal tubules.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although there are various treatment methods for dentin hypersensitivity (DH), more effective methods are still being sought.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sound human root dentin specimens were etched with 6% citric acid to open the dentinal tubules. The specimens were divided randomly into four groups: no treatment (control group), toothbrushing using 20% n-CAP dentifrice (n-CAP group), Er:YAG laser irradiation (LI group), and LI after n-CAP (combined group). The degree of occlusion of the dentinal tubules and the thickness of the deposition layer were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and an image analyzer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was shown that the occlusion effect of the n-CAP group was 87%, that of the combined group was 54%, and that of the LI group was 52%, compared with that of the control group. And the n-CAP particles were observed not only under the irradiated surface and but also above the surface in the combined group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This combination method has the potential for enhancement of the dentinal tubule occlusion. However, further study is needed to present the combination effects with additional analysis, and the long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Oral Health, Research Center for Orofacial Hard Tissue Regeneration, Brain Korea 21 Project, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University , Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hoi In
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Ho Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Baek Il
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D049329:Nanostructures
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D003802:Dentifrices; C030782:carboapatite