In vitro evaluation of dentin permeability of fluorotic primary teeth with a new electronic hydraulic conductance measurement system with photosensors.

OBJECTIVES: The permeability characteristics of dentin have been used in many in vitro studies to evaluate longitudinally the efficacy of various restorative and preventative procedures. The easiest way to evaluate dentin permeability is to calculate its hydraulic conductance (Lp) by fluid filtration method. There are researches on electronic hydraulic conductance measurement systems which can give more precise and reliable results of permeability of dentine than the classical system. To the authors' knowledge, there are no studies on bonding properties of restoratives to fluorotic primary teeth and dentin permeability of those teeth in the literature. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the dentin permeability of fluorotic primary molars precisely with a new 'electronic hydraulic conductance measurement system with photosensors' and to compare the data with healthy primary molars.

METHODS: A total of 40 fluorotic and healthy primary second molar teeth with 1/3 root resorption, which were extracted for orthodontic purpose and with no caries, restoration, fracture or crack were selected and used in this study. Teeth were classified according to the modified form of dental fluorosis index of Thylstrup&Fejerskov. Dentin discs were placed in the electronic hydraulic conductance measurement system with photosensors which was designed for the measurement of dentin permeability. The amount of distilled water passed through each dentin disk (muL/min) under a constant pressure was determined. Dentin permeability data of the fluorotic and healthy teeth were recorded and analysed statistically.

RESULTS: It was observed that dentin permeability decreases, while dental fluorosis severity increases in primary teeth.