Abstract
This experiment was performed to study mechanisms of desensitization by chemical desensitizing agents in hypersensitive dentin and compare effects of these agents by measuring the activity of intradental nerves and observing their occluding aspects on dentinal tubules with SEM over time after application of chemical desensitizing agents to the exposed dentinal surfaces. Canines of adult cats weighing 2-3 kg were cross-sectioned at 1.5 mm from incisal apex, and the smear layer of the exposed dentinal susface was removed by 32 % $H_3PO_4$ for 15 sec. Chemical desensitizing agents such as 10% $SrCl_2$, 5% $KNO_3$ and 30% $K_2C_2O_4$, were applied to the exposed dentin surfaces for 2 minutes. Intradental nerve activity was measured immediately after application of the agents, at 15 minutes and at 30 minutes by stimulating with 4M NaCl. To compare occluding ability of desensitizing agents on dentinal tubules in vivo and in vitro, the structures of the exposed dentinal surfaces of nonvital and vital teeth were morphologically observed by SEM. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Intradental nerve activity was decreased immediately after the application of 10 % $SrCl_2$, 5% $KNO_3$ and 30% $K_2C_2O_4$. (p<0.01), among which 30% $K_2C_2O_4$. showed the highest desensitizing effect(p<0.01). 2. The immediately decreased intradental nerve activity after application of 10 % $SrCl_2$ and 5% $KNO_3$ was increased over time. 10% $SrCl_2$ and 5% $KNO_3$ showed no desensitizing effect respectively at 30 minutes and at 15 minutes after application. 3. The immediately decreased intradental nerve activity after application of 30 % $K_2C_2O_4$ was persistently continued during the period of observation (p<0.01). 4. Precipitates of $SrCl_2$ and $KNO_3$ were not noted on the exposed dentinal surfaces and within dentinal tubules by SEM examination. On the other hand, 30 % $K_2C_2O_4$ produced precipitates on the exposed dentinal surfaces and openings of dentinal tubules without any formed preciptates within dentinal tubules. 5. Ten percent $SrCl_2$, 5 % $KNO_3$ and 30 % $K_2C_2O_4$ showed no differences in their occluding aspects on dentinal tubules either in vivo or in vitro studies and either immediately following application or at 30 minutes. These results suggest that the desensitizing effect of $SrCl_2$ and $KNO_3$ is resulted from their reducing effect on the intradental nerve activity rather than from their precipitates' occluding the dentinal tubules. However, desensitizing effect of 30 % $K_2C_2O_4$, is probably resulted from its precipitates' occluding the openings of the dentinal tubules as well as from it's reducing effect on the intradental nerve actibity.