Assessment and comparison of the impact of 8% L-Arginine and CaCO3 paste with KNO3 on the sealing of dentinal tubules and teeth sensitivity

According to a recent study, the desensitizing paste with 8% L-arginine, calcium carbonate, and potassium nitrate effectively blocked dentinal tubules and minimized dentin permeability. It alleviated both immediate and prolonged dentin hypersensitivity to different stimuli, demonstrating its potential role in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. This study's findings were published in the journal, BMC oral health.

The dentin surfaces of 24 third molars, each with a thickness of 2 mm were divided into two groups of 12. The experimental paste was given to one group, whereas the other group received a placebo devoid of a desensitizer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dentin permeability measurement were used to assess the permeability and sealing ability. The effects of the pastes on hypersensitivity were examined in a triple-blind, randomized clinical trial involving 16 eligible patients. Patients responsiveness to touch, cold, and spontaneous stimuli was measured at different time points following treatment using the VAS scale. Statistical examinations, such as Shapiro-Wilk, Friedman, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon tests, were conducted to evaluate the data.

In the permeability test, the experimental group demonstrated a significant decrease in dentin permeability (P = 0.002) compared to the control group (P = 0.178). Examination of SEM images revealed that most dentinal tubules in the intervention samples were occluded. Clinically, both groups experienced a notable reduction in all three types of sensitivity evaluated throughout the study. However, there was no significant differences in sensitivities between the two groups, except for cold sensitivity at three months post-treatment (P = 0.054).

The above study demonstrated that by using a desensitizing paste composed of 8% L-arginine, calcium carbonate, and potassium nitrate, the dentinal tubules were effectively blocked and dentin permeability was minimized. It successfully relieved both immediate and long-lasting dentin hypersensitivity caused by various stimuli, showcasing its promising application in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.