Comparative evaluation of tubule occlusion efficiency of desensitizing agents in different conditions

The purpose of this thesis study is to evaluate the effects of dentin desensitizing agents with different contents (Teethmate Desensitizer, Gluma Desensitizer, Clinpro White Varnish, Enamelast) and Er, Cr:YSGG laser, alone and in combination with dentin desensitizing agents and the erosive/abrasive cycling, on dentin surface roughness and the tubule occlusion effectiveness on dentin surfaces. For the study 140 permanent third molar teeth were used. For surface roughness examinations, dentin samples were divided into 10 groups (n = 12); 1- Control group, 2- Teethmate Desensitizer (TMD), 3- Gluma Desensitizer (GD), 4- Enamelast (EN), 5- Clipro White Varnish (CWV), 6- Er, Cr:YSGG Laser (L), 7- Teethmate Desensitizer-Laser (TMD-L), 8- Gluma Desensitizer-Laser (GD-L), 9- Enamelast-Laser (EN-L) ve 10- Clinpro White Varnish-Laser (CWV-L). All samples were kept in 17% EDTA solution for five minutes to expose the dentinal tubules. Profilometric analyzes were performed after EDTA application, after application of desensitizing agents and laser, and after a five-day erosive/abrasive cycling. After applications and erosion/abrasion, the specimens were analyzed SEM to examine the tubule occlusion effectiveness on the dentin surface and at the dentin interface. In the statistical analysis of surface roughness measurements, two-way ANOVA test, one-way ANOVA test and Tukey's post hoc test were used to analyze. According to the findings of this study, the groups using desensitizing agents (TMD, GD, EN, CWV) didn't cause an increase in surface roughness compared to the control group. However, all laser applications (L, TMD-L, GD-L, EN-L, CWV-L) with caused an increase in roughness on the dentin surface. After the erosive/abrasive cycling, an increase in surface roughness was observed in all experimental groups. The SEM images showed that all the laser applied groups had more tubule occlusion effectiveness and after the erosive/abrasive cycling, partially continued their tubule occlusion effectiveness. Although the desensitizing agents and laser couldn't prevent the increase in surface roughness after erosion/abrasion, the irregularities on the dentin surfaces were found to be less than the control group. The findings of this study may indicate that DHGA, laser and combined applications have a partially protective effect on open dentin surfaces against the negative effects of erosion / abrasion.