Comparison of nanofluoridated hydroxyapatite of varying fluoride content for dentin tubule occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the viability of a series of nano-fluoridated hydroxyapatite (nano-FHA) formulations of varying fluoride content for the occlusion of exposed dentin tubules, in comparison to nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA). METHODS: Nano-FHA powders with varying levels of fluoride ion were synthesized to substitute hydroxyl ions ((-)OH) present in hydroxyapatite (HA). Nano-FHA were defined as 2nFHA,4nFHA,6nFHA, 8nFHA and 10nFHA, with the molar ratio of F((-) to Ca243; of 0.002,0.004,0.006,0.008 and 0.01, respectively. The powders were synthesized using a wet chemistry route, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to assess cell viability toward nano-FHA. According to the content of F(-), the nano-nFHA and nano-HA powders were divided into six groups, with the artificial saliva as control. They were spread over the dentin surface for 1 minute and repeated three times per day for 7 consecutive days. After washing and brushing with distilled water for an additional 7 days, scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the in vitro plugging rate of the tubules and penetrating depth. RESULTS: The 2nFHA, 4nFHA, 6nFHA, 8nFHA and 10nFHA powders were prepared and characterized. The 8nFHA had less crystallinity compared to 2nFHA,4nFHA, and 6nFHA.The MTT assay (from 12 to 120 hours) showed that the cell viability of the L-929 fibroblasts in the 2nFHA, 4nFHA, 6nFHA, 8nFHA, 10nFHA, and nano-HA groups ranged from 80.54+/- 3.35% to 112.9+/- 4.8%. Most of the nano-FHA powders successfully occluded dentin tubules. The plugging rate of 8nFHA was significantly higher than that of the 2nFHA, 4nFHA, 6nFHA and nano-HA groups. The penetrating depth of the 8nFHA group into the tubules was also significantly higher than that of the other nano-FHA and nano-HA group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The nano-FHA formulation 8nFHA showed higher plugging rate and penetrating depth into the tubules. It has the potential to be used as a desensitizing agent in treating dentin hypersensitivity with better long-term durability and efficacy of dentin tubule occlusion.