Randomized clinical trial to determine if changes in dentin tubule occlusion visualized by SEM of replica impressions correlate with pain scores.

Purpose: To quantify dentin tubule occlusion and correlate this with pain reduction in vivo.

Methods: This was a single-center, randomized two treatment, examiner-blind, parallel study. 20 participants with confirmed dentin hypersensitivity (DH) were evaluated by Schiff Air Blast, VAS Air Blast and replica impression of the tooth surface to visualize tubule occlusion at baseline and following 4-week twice daily use of either an occluding toothpaste (8% strontium acetate, 1,040 ppm fluoride) or a non-occluding toothpaste (1,450 ppm fluoride).