Morphological characterization of hypersensitive human radicular dentin and the effect of a light-curing resin liner on tubular occlusion.

A dentin biopsy technique was employed to compare the morphological features of hypersensitive and non-sensitive human radicular dentin. Specimens sampled from different areas in the same root surface displaying hypersensitivity or non-sensitivity were prepared for examination in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Before analysis some specimens were exposed to surface demineralization and digestion of collagen to allow observation of subsurface portions of the dentinal tubules. In another set of observations the potential of a light-curing resin liner to penetrate root dentin in vitro and to maintain tubular occlusion over time following treatment of hypersensitive radicular dentin were examined. Orifices of many dentinal tubules were open in hypersensitive regions while non-sensitive areas generally displayed tubules occluded with mineralized material. SEM-images of HCl-collagenase treated specimens demonstrated the frequent presence of membrane-like structures in tubules of hypersensitive dentin. In non-sensitive dentin these structures were sparse. Topical application of a light-curing resin liner to wedge shaped defects prepared in radicular dentin of extracted human teeth resulted in a surface coating with a resin thickness of 20-50 microns. Resin penetrated dentinal tubules to a depth of more than 5 microns. Dentin biopsies examined 6 months after treatment with the liner showed presence of resin-like material in a majority of the tubules in dentin where hypersensitivity was no longer perceived. In none of the specimens did the liner remain as a surface coating. In areas of recurrent hypersensitivity more than half of the tubules presented with open orifices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)