Effect of erosive and abrasive stress on sealing ability of different desensitizers: In-vitro study

This in vitro study examined the sealing ability of different desensitizing agents under a chemo-mechanical stress condition. For the study, a total of 144 extracted, caries-free human third molars were used to produce 1 mm-thick dentin discs. The specimens were divided randomly into four groups: Superseal (SS), Gluma (GL), Gluma Self-etch (GS), and Tooth Coat (TC). For each group, the permeability was measured before and after applying the desensitizer, after being exposed to Coca Cola for 5 minutes, and after 3150 strokes of a brushing abrasion. The decrease in permeability after the erosive and abrasive stress was analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. As a result, the dentin permeability decreased significantly for all desensitizers immediately after application (p < 0.05). SS and GS showed a significant difference in permeability reduction observed immediately after application and after acid action with Coca Cola (p < 0.05). After brushing abrasion, the permeability reduction decreased significantly for all desensitizers tested in this study (p < 0.05). TC showed the largest decrease in dentinal permeability compared to that of the other desensitizers and the differences were significant after brushing abrasion (p < 0.05). All tested desensitizers were effective in reducing dentin permeability. The behavioral characteristics under erosive and abrasive stress varied according to the products used. TC exhibited excellent sealing ability among the other desensitizers.