Abstract
Treatments that obdurate dentin tubules have been used for reducing dentin hypersensitivity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a treatment with a slurry of micron sized calcium phosphate on the hydraulic conductance (L~p~) of etched dentin discs in vitro. The treatment slurry was prepared by mixing a powder mixture of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and calcium hydroxide with a solution that contained sodium fluoride and carboxymethyl cellulose. The mean baseline L~p~ (in mL cm^−2^ s^–1^ H~2~O cm^–1^) was 2.07 ± 1.45 (mean ± SD; n = 13)). After one treatment and 2, 4, and 7 days of incubation in a protein‐free saliva‐like solution (SLS), the mean relative L~p~, presented as % of baseline, were 65 ± 16, 42 ± 27, 36 ± 26, and 33 ± 27 (n = 13), respectively. The L~p~ values of the baseline and treatment after incubation in the SLS were significantly (p < 0.05) different. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed partial obturation of dentin tubules in the treated dentin. X‐ray diffraction and chemical analyses indicated the major product formed from the slurry was a fluoride‐containing hydroxyapatite. Treatment appeared effective in further reducing L~p~ of dentin discs after incubation in the SLS. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006