The efficacy and durability of three desensitising agents for management of hypersensitivity teeth: an in-vitro study

Introduction: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a brief and acute pain produced when dentine is subjected to various stimuli. The treatment for DH has been classified by mode of delivery as at-home and in-office therapy. It was proven that desensitising agents have the capacity for occluding dentinal tubules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and durability of desensitising agents for management of DH. Materials and methods: Twelve non-carious extracted human permanent premolars were sectioned into dentine layer. The dentine disc specimens were divided into 4 groups. Each group were applied with 8% arginine-calcium toothpaste, 0.24% sodium fluoride toothpaste, potassium nitrate toothpaste and distilled water respectively. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to evaluate the magnitude changes of dentinal tubules post treatment with the desensitising toothpastes in terms of the efficacy and durability at day 1, week 1 and week 3 after application. The data will be analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 19.0). Results: All toothpastes demonstrated significant dentinal tubule occlusions. However, 8% arginine-calcium toothpaste showed the greatest percentage of occlusion at day 1 followed by potassium nitrate toothpaste and sodium fluoride toothpaste. After 3 weeks, 8% arginine-calcium toothpaste remained the greatest percentage of dentinal tubules occlusion. Conclusion: The result showed that 8% arginine-calcium toothpaste is the most efficient and has longer durability among the other toothpaste. Therefore, with this finding it could help the patient for selection of desensitising toothpaste in managing the DH

The efficacy and durability of three desensitising agents for management of hypersensitive teeth: an in vitro study

Introduction: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a brief and acute pain produced when dentine is subjected to vari- ous stimuli. The treatment for DH has been classified by mode of delivery as at- home and in-office therapy. It was proven that desensitising agents have the capacity for occluding dentinal tubules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and durability of desensitising agents for management of DH. Methods: Twelve non-carious extracted human permanent premolars were sectioned into dentine layer. The dentine disc specimens were divided into four groups. Each group were applied with 8% arginine-calcium toothpaste, 0.24% sodium fluoride toothpaste, 5% potassium nitrate toothpaste and distilled water respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to evaluate the magnitude changes of dentinal tubules post treatment with the desensitising toothpastes in terms of the efficacy and durability at day one, week one and week three after application. The data will be analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 19.0). Results: All toothpastes demonstrated significant dentinal tubule occlusions. However, 8% arginine-calcium tooth- paste showed the greatest percentage of occlusion at day one followed by potassium nitrate toothpaste and sodium fluoride toothpaste. After three weeks, 8% arginine-calcium toothpaste remained the greatest percentage of dentinal tubules occlusion Conclusion: The result revealed that 8% arginine-calcium toothpaste is the most efficient and has longer durability among the other toothpaste. Therefore, with this finding it could help the patient for selection of desensitising toothpaste in managing the DH

Remineralization evaluation of cocos nucifera extracts via element quantification

Demineralization causes plaque calcium (Ca) to dissolve out from the enamel. Prolonged condition would allow enamel caries to worsen. To reverse the condition via remineralization, abundant of free available Ca and phosphorus (P) in the saliva are required. Thus, daily diet with high Ca and P content are important to ensure the continuous supply of Ca and P. Being one of Malaysia's major component of medical applications and daily consumptions, virgin coconut oil (VCO), coconut milk (CM), and coconut water (CW) are yet to be discovered their mineral content especially Ca and P. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the Ca and P content in VCO, CM, and CW. Inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used in analyzing the Ca and P content in VCO, CM, and CW. After acid digestion (Method 3051a) using Teflon vessels under 170°C, the samples were diluted and the readings were compared. The Ca concentration in descending order VCO (0.47±0.15), CW (0.45±0.05) and CM (0.44±0.15), while P concentration in descending order is as follows CM (0.25±0.05), CW (0.09±0.05), and VCO (0.05±0.06). With no huge difference in Ca content, CM is considered to exhibit a high Ca and P content in total. In conclusion, CM exhibits a promising remineralization potential on enamel caries with high Ca and P content

Optimisation of lignocaine-adrenaline nanoemulsion using central composite design for gingival retraction cord application

Introduction: A commonly employed technique for gingival displacement involves the insertion of retraction cord into the gingival crevice, which leads to bleeding and pain when used for extended periods especially in a complex restorative dental treatment. The gingival retraction cord is soaked in the ferric sulphate to control bleeding, but it can cause tooth staining and recurrent bleeding post-cord removal. Local anaesthesia with lignocaine is administered for pain relief, yet it may induce heightened dental anxiety (DA), contributing to patient fear and stress during the dental procedures. Therefore, lignocaine-adrenaline combination is valued for its pain-relieving and hemostatic properties. Aims: Thus, this research aims to optimise the lignocaine-adrenaline nanoemulsion (LANE) using central composite design (CCD) for improving gingival retraction cord application. Methods: A total of 18 LANE formulations obtained from CCD were prepared by spontaneous emulsi;ication method in which the particle size, zeta potential, pH, polydispersity index (PdI), and stability at 25 °C for 72 hours were evaluated. Based on the analysed results, the optimised LANE was validated in triplicate. Results: CCD suggested an optimised LANE with 4% (w/w) Triacetin (oil phase), 12% (w/w) Tween 80 (surfactant), and 9.71% (w/w) PEG 400 (co-surfactant). The validated optimised formulation exhibited 25.30 ± 1.12 nm particle size, -18.80 mV ± 0.87 zeta potential, 7.58 ± 0.05 pH, and 0.43 ± 0.01 PdI. The LANE formulation was stable and observed to be clear, with no drug precipitation and phase separation. Conclusion: The optimised LANE formulation has been achieved through CCD. The optimised LANE will be formulated further as a nanogel-based gingival retraction cord that holds the potential to alleviate pain and DA. This development could transform dental practices, fostering enhanced patient experiences and successful restorative dental treatments

Enamel subsurface remineralization potential of virgin coconut oil, coconut milk and coconut water

Dental caries occurred due to acidic attack to the enamel tooth surface causing loss of minerals. Remineralization reversed the effect provided high calcium and phosphorus are presence in the oral environment. This study aims to investigate the potential of VCO, coconut milk, and coconut water in remineralization of enamel subsurface. The study uses SEM/EDX to evaluate the changes of calcium and phosphorus on the enamel subsurface before and after treatment. An overall comparison of the treatments using one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference with p < 0.05. The VCO, coconut milk, and coconut water are potentially capable for enamel remineralization

Evaluation Of calcium and phosphorus content in virgin coconut oil, coconut milk and coconut water using ICPMS- assessment Of remineralization potential for tooth enamel

Introduction: Dental decays happened due to demineralization of dental minerals because of oral acidic environment. The minerals that usually dissolved out from the enamel are calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). To ensure more Ca and P absorbed via remineralization, high Ca and P content in daily diet supply are required. In Malaysia, virgin coconut oil (VCO), coconut milk (CM) and coconut water (CW) are a few of many major diet component of daily diet. The aim for this study is to evaluate the Ca and P content of VCO, CM and CW. Materials and Methods: For these types of foods, Inductive Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used in analyzing their Ca and P concentration. The samples undergone acid digestion (Method 3051a) using Teflon vessels under 150°C. Then, the samples were diluted and the readings are compared. Result:The VCO showed highest concentration of Ca (472.62 ppb) followed by CW (453.33 ppb) and CM (444.00 ppb). Whilst, CM showed the highest P concentration with 251.00 ppb and least P concentration from VCO (54.07 ppb). Comparing the concentration of the minerals altogether, although Ca concentration in CM is the least, it is still considered high. Conclusion(s): With supports of high concentration of P, CM displayed a promising potential of Ca and P supply to promote remineralization of enamel caries

Plant-based milk in arresting caries

Dental caries occurs due to high net demineralization that caused loss of enamel minerals. Milk has become a promising agent of remineralization for its high content of CPP-ACP. However, some individuals cannot consume milk due to their health conditions. Plant-based milk was opted as milk substitute to recover some nutritional deficiency. Some plant-based milk has high amount of calcium which suggests the ability to promote enamel remineralization. Articles regarding plant-based milk were referred from 1960s until recently and compared with remineralization mechanism of action of milk. This review explores the potential of plant-based milk in arresting caries, especially coconut milk

Virgin coconut oil and its antimicrobial properties against pathogenic microorganisms: a review

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is the purest form of coconut oil, essentially water-clear or colourless that consists mainly of medium chain saturated fatty acids. For over many decades, the biological properties of VCO have been widely explored and investigated due to their antimicrobial potentials. The large concentration of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) including lauric acid (LA) and its monoglyceride form, monolaurin makes VCO effective in their mode of actions against pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, VCO could be used as a daily supplement or an alternative remedy against microbial infections. We review and discuss the current state of knowledge of VCO studies and focus on its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities aiming to unravel the underlying mechanisms of VCO inhibition of these pathogenic microorganisms