Efficacy of NovaMin- and Pro-Argin-containing desensitizing dentifrices on occlusion of dentinal tubules

Introduction: Dentin hypersensitivity is a commonly occurring condition characterized by short, sharp pain arising from the exposed dentine in response to stimuli. Materials and Methods: Seventy extracted human permanent molars were selected and divided into four groups. The photomicrographs of the surface from the center of each dentinal block were obtained using a scanning electron microscope. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of three desensitizing dentifrices − SHY-NM (NovaMin), Sensitive Pro-Relief (8% arginine and calcium carbonate) and Thermoseal (10% strontium chloride) − for dentinal tubule occlusion using a scanning electron microscope. Results: All of the desensitizing dentifrices evaluated, SHY-NM showed the highest percentage of tubular occlusion (95.58%) followed by Sensitive Pro-Relief (89.90%). The least amount of tubular occlusion was shown by Thermoseal (86.12%). Conclusion: NovaMin-containing toothpaste, SHY-NM, showed maximum tubular occlusion and it appears to be a promising desensitizing dentifrice.