title: Effect of theobromine-containing toothpaste on dentin tubule occlusion in situ.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is treated by either occlusion of dentin tubules or nerve desensitization. This in situ study compared dentin tubules occlusion by theobromine-containing dentifrices with (Theodent-classic-F®, TCF) and without (Theodent-classic®, TC) fluoride with 1,500 ppm fluoride toothpaste, Colgate®-Regular (Fluoride) and Novamin®-containing toothpaste, Sensodyne®-5000-Nupro (Novamin®).
  
  
  METHODS
  Each subject wore four intraoral appliances bearing dentin blocks while using one of four test dentifrices (n = 20/dentifrice) twice daily for 7 days. The four appliances were removed successively after 1, 2, 3, and 7 days. Treated blocks and their control (untreated) blocks were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Effects were compared statistically (ANOVA/Tukey's) based on percentage of surface area covered by deposited precipitate layer (%DPL) and percentage of fully open (%FOT), partially occluded (%POT), and completely occluded (%COT) tubules in each block calculated relative to the number of tubules in their control blocks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SEM observation indicated an increased %COT and %DPL over time. After 1 and 2 days, %COT was comparable with TC and TCF, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared with Novamin® and Fluoride. Following 3 and 7 days, %COT was comparable among TC, TCF, and Novamin®, but remained significantly lower in Fluoride. At any time, %DPL was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in TC, TCF, and Novamin® compared with Fluoride.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Theobromine-containing toothpastes with and without fluoride have equal potential in occluding dentin tubules within a shorter time period than Novamin®-containing toothpaste; however, the three demonstrated equal potential after 1 week, but not the fluoride toothpaste.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Theobromine-containing toothpaste promoted dentin tubule occlusion thus shows potential to relief DH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA, amaechi@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Bennett T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Amaechi
authors.forename: Sapna M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: Poornima K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Mensinkai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010070:Oxalates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012824:Silicic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013805:Theobromine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003802:Dentifrices; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; C510984:NovaMin; D010070:Oxalates; C111528:Sensodyne Dentin Desensitizer; D014100:Toothpastes; C546060:hydrated silica gel-based toothpaste; D012824:Silicic Acid; D013805:Theobromine