Advances in methodologies to characterize dentine and dentine hypersensitivity treatments in vitro

The aim of this paper is to highlight recent advances in the development of analytical and in vitro methodologies to assess the potential efficacy of dentine hypersensitivity treatments. The paper will cover the utility of X-ray computed nanotomography, secondary ion mass spectrometry, dynamic laser scanning confocal microscopy, and x-ray microtomography in the context of characterizing dentine, understanding the permeability and mass transport properties of dentine, and exploring the mechanism of action for purported hypersensitivity treatments. It will be shown that X-ray tomography, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and dynamic fluid flow confocal microscopy provide unsurpassed information pertaining to the ultra-structural and mass transport properties of dentine, properties that underpin the hydrodynamic theory and the therapeutic route for desensitizing treatments. The paper concludes that advances in analytical instrumentation and in vitro methodologies have improved our understanding of the ultra-structural and chemical properties of dentine, mass transport within dentine, and the quality and predictive value of in vitro models. Such understandings aid the development of efficacious dentifrice formulations to treat dentine hypersensitivity.