Evaluation and Comparison for the Efficacy of 810 nm Diode Laser, Nano Carbonate Apatite and Their Combination Over Dentinal Tubules Occlusion: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

BACKGROUND: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) involves sensitive symptoms, because of exposure of the dentinal tubules. Various materials have been utilized to occlude dentinal tubules for the treatment of DH. Here is a comparative evaluation of nano-carbonate apatite (n-CAP), diode laser, and their combination over the occlusion of dentinal tubules. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Ten intact first premolars were used in this study, out of which 40 dentin disk specimens were obtained by hard tissue microtomy. Four study groups were formulated out of which one was the control group and the remaining three were test groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was done to evaluate the diameter of the dentinal tubules in each group. RESULTS: On examining data, it was observed that the mean diameter of dentinal tubules in four study groups of control, laser, n-CAP, and n-CAP + laser was found to be 3.40, 2.00, 0.46, and 0.02 respectively. This shows the significant reduction in the diameter of dentinal tubules in the test groups when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Among all the measures used to see for a reduction in the diameter of dentinal tubules, the combination group was found to be most occluding, though each of the groups also had a significant reduction in the diameter of dentinal tubules. The present study showed that combination therapy offers a promising means of treating DH in a clinical setting when compared with the treatment of DH n-CAP containing dentifrice or laser irradiation alone.

Histochemical detection and comparison of apoptotic cells in the gingival epithelium using hematoxylin and eosin and methyl green-pyronin: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis plays a critical role in the regulation of inflammation and host immune response. It helps in tissue homeostasis and a disturbance in this is often associated with disease. The use of histochemical stains like hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and methyl green-pyronin (MGP) can provide a simple and cost-effective method for the detection of apoptotic cells. AIM: Study intended to analyze the expression of apoptosis in the gingival epithelium of healthy subjects and in patients with chronic periodontitis, using H and E and MGP. It is also proposed to correlate the apoptotic index (AI) of healthy individuals and those with chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty gingival biopsies were harvested from which ten samples were of healthy subjects and ten subjects who suffered from chronic periodontitis. Apoptotic cells were analyzed using MGP and H and E under light microscopy. RESULTS: Apoptotic cells were identified at ×100 magnification and AI was calculated. Apoptotic cells were easily distinguishable in MGP stained sections when compared to those stained using H and E. Moreover, apoptotic cell count was higher in chronic periodontitis. Statistical analyses were done by Tukey's multiple post hoc procedure. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that MGP staining can be used in a routine basic laboratory set up as one of the cost-effective methods for the detection of apoptotic cells.