FAST DESENSITIZATION OF TOOTH ROOTS BY TOPICALLY APPLIED SNF2 AND SRCL2 IN DOGS

Incisor and canine buccal root surfaces in each of 5 dogs were exposed, planed and monitored for electrically induced sensitivity. After the post-surgical recovery of sensitivity (2-5 days), the root surfaces of 4 dogs were pretreated (daily for 4-7 days) either with pumicing and etching, pumicing only or brushing only in each of 3 quadrants in each dog. After a 30 min interval, 30 min topical applications of 10% SnF2 (water solution) or 1% SrCl2 (Sensodyne toothpaste) followed for 4-7 days. Comparisons of sensitivity tests before each treatment and 30 min after the end of each treatment revealed that desensitization was statistically effective for SnF2 after pumicing and etching as well as after pumicing. Scanning electron microscopy displayed open dentinal tubules after pumicing and etching, scratches but no tubule openings after pumicing and a smooth, bacteria-containing film after brushing. Elemental analysis with an electron microprobe revealed deeper penetration of Sr than of F into the dentine. These results indicate the dependence of root surface conditioning for penetration of desensitizers and some differences between SnF2 and SrCl2.