Experimental pastes containing niobophosphate and 45S5 bioactive glasses for treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: dentin permeability and tubule obliteration

Objectives This study tested the ability of bioactive pastes containing niobophosphate and 45S5 glasses to reduce dentin permeability and to obliterate dentinal tubules, as a mean of reducing human dentin hypersensitivity. Materials and methods Experimental pastes with concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 wt% of two bioactive glasses (45S5 or niobophosphate [NbG]) were formulated. A paste without bioactive glass (placebo) and a commercial paste (Nano P, FGM) were used as controls. Forty dentin disc specimens were obtained from caries-free extracted third human molars and divided in 8 groups ( n = 5). Percentage of permeability (%Lp) was assessed in a dental permeability machine considering hydraulic conductance, immediately after pastes application and at day 7, day 14, and day 21. The precipitates formed on the surface of the dentin discs (and dentinal tubules) were analyzed by SEM/EDS and micro-Raman spectra. Data of dentin permeability (%) 2-way repeated-measures (ANOVA) and Holm-Sidak post-tests ( α = 0.05). Dentinal tubule obliteration was visually (and elemental) evaluated and descriptively reported. Results The experimental bioactive glass pastes containing NbG and 45S5, regardless of the concentration, reduced dentin permeability in comparison with pastes without bioactive glasses ( P < 0.05). The formulated placebo and commercial paste did not reduce permeability over time ( P < 0.05). SEM/EDS and micro-Raman analyses showed that both type of bioactive pastes (NbG or 45S5-based) presented mineral precipitates obliterating the dentinal tubules at day 21. NbG seems to offer a better initial effect than 45S5, while at 21 days there is no difference between both glasses. Conclusion Experimental bioactive pastes containing NbG and 45S5 (at concentrations of 10%, 20%, or 30%) have potential to reduce dentin permeability (over time) in comparison with pastes without bioactive glasses; and this occurs on behalf of obliteration of dentinal tubules by microparticle and precipitate formation. Clinical relevance Bioactive pastes containing NbG and 45S5 may benefit patients presenting dentin hypersensitivity, because these pastes can start acting fast after application and maintain their action up to 21 days.