Comparison of the occluding ability of dentinal tubules with different morphology between calcium phosphate precipitation method and potassium oxalate treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occluding ability of calcium phosphate precipitation (CPP) method and potassium oxalate treatment when each method was applied to dentin disks with different surface morphology. Occluding ability was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Irrespective of the diameter of the dentinal tubules, the CPP method showed a consistent occluding ability for dentinal tubules at the dentin surface, and that the depths of the precipitate formed in the dentinal tubules by CPP method were not significantly different. In contrast, the occluding ability of potassium oxalate treatment was reduced with increasing diameter of the dentinal tubules. However, the reduction of the occluding ability of potassium oxalate treatment was more markedly affected by the demineralization of dentin surface. Since the CPP method showed a consistent occluding ability irrespective of the diameter of the dentinal tubules, it is suggested that the CPP method would be a useful means for treating dentin hypersensitivity.