The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of artificial saliva on permeability measured using a highly sensitive digital flow meter of dentin discs treated with a phosphate containing desensitizer compound (Teethmate desensitizer; TD). Four random groups (n=10) were treated either with TD or distilled water (DW), then stored in artificial saliva (AS) or DW for 1 day, 1 week and 1 month. Flow rates under 2 kPa pressure were calculated as percentage reduction (PR%) from the baseline. The PR% of TD/AS group was significantly lower after 1 day and 1 week, but the PR%s of 1 month groups among TD/AS, TD/DW and DW/AS were not significantly different. The SEM photograph of TD/AS group displayed that the dentin surface was densely covered with mineral deposits. Ca and phosphate ions from the artificial saliva could penetrate into the tubules and precipitate as hydroxyapatite, resulting in the reduction in permeability.
Keywords: Artificial saliva; Dentin permeability; Dentin sensitivity; Flow meter; Hydrodynamics.