title: Evaluation of the effects of Er:YAG laser and desensitizing paste containing 8% arginine and calcium carbonate, and their combinations on human dentine tubules: a scanning electron microscopic analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of Er:YAG laser and an in-office desensitizing paste alone or in combination by using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Various treatment modalities have been proposed for dentin hypersensitivity, but to date, no single agent or form of treatment has been found effective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty dentine specimens obtained from freshly extracted impacted third molars were included and divided into four groups. Group I served as the control, whereas Group II, Group III, and Group IV recieved Er:YAG laser (30 Hz, 60 mJ/pulse, 10 sec), a desensitizing paste (DP) containing 8% arginine and calcium carbonate, and DP+Er:YAG laser in combination, respectively, evaluated under SEM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SEM analysis presented occlusion and narrowing of dentinal tubules in all treatment groups, but more prominent occlusion was observed in the combined treatment group. Intergroup comparisons regarding the tubule diameters and the number of the open dentinal tubules per 100 μm2 revealed statistically significant difference in favor of combined group (p<0.05). The difference between single effects of Er:YAG and DP in all parameters were found statistically nonsignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study has shown that all treatment procedures are effective in dentinal tubule occlusion. However, more prominent occlusion is observed in the combined treatment group.
authors.affiliation: Yeditepe University , Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ogul L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Tunar
authors.forename: Hare
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gürsoy
authors.forename: Gökser
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Çakar
authors.forename: Bahar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kuru
authors.forename: Sebnem Dirikan
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ipci
authors.forename: Selçuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008964:Molar, Third; D009824:Ointments; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; D009824:Ointments; D001120:Arginine; D002119:Calcium Carbonate