Dentinal Occlusion by Mineral-Loaded Cationic Starch Particles

Objectives: Mineral-Loaded Cationic Starch Particles (MLCSPs, GreenMark Biomedical) have been shown to target the subsurface of active caries lesions and release calcium, phosphate, and fluoride to promote remineralization. In this in vitro study, we evaluated the potential of these particles for treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity via dentinal occlusion.
Methods: Dentin discs from extracted human teeth (n=10) were isolated from human molars. Fluoride-containing (FP) and Fluoride-free (FF) MLCSPs were applied (3 minute application; 30 second water rinse) to each disk, as well as DI water negative control (NC), and model control (MC) (Fluoride-containing Relief ACP Oral Care Gel, Phillips). Environmental Scanning Electron Micrographs (ESEM) were taken of samples from top-view and cross-sectional perspectives. Collected precipitated mineral was evaluated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). In a separate study, 5 dentin discs were treated with FP MLCSPs, FF MLCSPs, similar NC and MC (20 discs total) and hydraulic conductance measures were taken following 1 week and 2-week immersion in artificial saliva with amylase.
Results: ESEM micrographs show that both fluoride-containing and fluoride-free MLCSPs cause significant mineral precipitation occluding dentinal tubules, with precipitation extending into the tubules. XRD results indicated that mineral deposition for the FP sample was 91.7% fluorapatite and 8.3% calcium fluoride. Dentinal occlusion was further evidenced by a significant (p<0.05) decrease in hydraulic conductance (see Table).
Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential for using MLCSPs as a treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity by occluding dentinal tubules with mineral apatite precipitation. Future work will look to test the product clinically for the indication of dentinal hypersensitivity.