Titanium tetrafluoride solutions: occlusion of dentinal tubules and citotoxicity on gingival fibroblasts

Abstract

This in vitro study aims to investigate whether the use of a titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) solutions at varying pH values increases the tubule occlusion of hypersensitive-like dentin and whether such solutions has cytotoxic effect to fibroblast cells from human gingiva. Thirty hemi-roots and 27 dentin slabs (3x3x2 mm) will be subjected to an erosive protocol to created lesions which simulate a validated condition of dentin hypersensitivity. Then, both the hemi-roots and dentin slabs will be allocated in three groups according to the treatment to be performed: 1) TiF4 - pH 1.2; 2) TiF4 - pH 3.5; 3) type 1 purified water. To assess the tubule occlusion by the treatments, the hemi-roots will be evaluated for dentin permeability, using a histochemical coloring method with cooper sulphate and rubeanic acid solutions. The depth of Cu ions within the dentin will be assessed under optical microscopy using an image scanning software. Fibroblast cells from human will be plated on the surface of the 27 TiF4- or control-treated dentin slabs and cells will be evaluated for proliferation and viability; type III collagen will be also quantified. After being subjected to descriptive analysis and evaluated for homogeneity of variance and normal distribution, data will be statistically treated by the analyses of variance or non-parametric approaches. The significance level will be set at 5%. (AU)