Synthesis of nanobioglass and formation of apatite rods to occlude exposed dentine tubules and eliminate hypersensitivity.

Abstract: The occlusion of patent dentine tubules may reduce or eliminate hypersensitivity by restricting dentinal fluid movement. The efficacy of a novel sol–gel nanobioglass and a melt-derived bioglass to occlude tubules and promote apatite formation was tested by mechanically brushing a slurry of bioglass powder and human saliva onto dentine possessing exposed tubules. Scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the powders and assess tubule occlusion. Melt-derived bioglass possessed an irregular particle morphology and had a mean size of 3.30±0.42μm. The sol–gel bioglass particles were spherical, with a mean size of 0.65±0.19μm. Dentine treated with melt-derived bioglass exhibited a tightly adherent continuous apatite layer. Treatment with nanobioglass resulted in particle deposition within tubules and formation of apatite rods which were tightly adherent to tubule walls and continuous to a measured depth of 270μm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]