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January 2026
Journal Article
Title
Dopamine mechanism and potential in treating dentin hypersensitivity
Abstract
Purpose / Aim: Inspired by mussel chemistry, catechol-containing molecules have demonstrated potential in dental applications by binding to demineralized dentin and promoting mineral formation. This study investigated the adhesion mechanism and dentin remineralization of dopamine, a catechol-containing molecule, as well as its effect on dentin morphology and permeability following an erosive/abrasive cycling protocol.
Materials & Methods: Initially, dentin samples were demineralized and immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing dopamine, dopamine + laccase, pyrocatechol + laccase, laccase alone, or PBS only, except for the untreated group (n=5). Samples were then immersed in a calcium- and phosphate-rich remineralizing solution for 10 days with daily changes. The effects of the treatments were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Separately, dentin hypersensitivity was simulated structurally in human dentin discs by applying EDTA for 5 minutes. After assessing maximum dentin permeability (initial), specimens were randomly assigned to: distilled water (control), 0.05% NaF solution, a commercial solution (Colgate® Sensitive Pró-Alívio™), or an experimental solution containing dopamine + laccase (n=15). An erosive/abrasive cycling protocol was applied, consisting of 0.3% citric acid immersion for 2 min four times/day, brushing for 5 s twice/day, and treatment application for 5 min twice/day. Dentin permeability was reassessed (final), and percentage permeability at each time was calculated relative to maximum permeability (%Lp) and analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (α=0.05). Surface effects were analyzed by SEM.
Results: SEM images, supported by XPS, revealed that samples treated with dopamine, dopamine + laccase, and pyrocatechol + laccase exhibited complete dentin surface coverage with mineral deposits and mineral formation in dentinal tubule walls. Conversely, the untreated group and those treated with laccase or PBS alone showed partial tubule occlusion and minimal surface mineral deposition. Following abrasive-erosive cycling, all groups showed a significant reduction in permeability (p<0.05), but no statistically significant differences were detected between groups (p=0.6082). However, smaller tubule diameters were observed in samples treated with Colgate® Sensitive Pró-Alívio™ and the experimental dopamine + laccase solution.
Conclusions: Overall, dopamine’s adherence and mineralization capability are attributed to its catechol group, while laccase only accelerates and mediates dopamine polymerization reaction. However, under the abrasive-erosive conditions proposed, dopamine exhibited limited protective effects, not significantly reducing dentin permeability as well as the other treatment’ solutions tested.
Materials & Methods: Initially, dentin samples were demineralized and immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing dopamine, dopamine + laccase, pyrocatechol + laccase, laccase alone, or PBS only, except for the untreated group (n=5). Samples were then immersed in a calcium- and phosphate-rich remineralizing solution for 10 days with daily changes. The effects of the treatments were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Separately, dentin hypersensitivity was simulated structurally in human dentin discs by applying EDTA for 5 minutes. After assessing maximum dentin permeability (initial), specimens were randomly assigned to: distilled water (control), 0.05% NaF solution, a commercial solution (Colgate® Sensitive Pró-Alívio™), or an experimental solution containing dopamine + laccase (n=15). An erosive/abrasive cycling protocol was applied, consisting of 0.3% citric acid immersion for 2 min four times/day, brushing for 5 s twice/day, and treatment application for 5 min twice/day. Dentin permeability was reassessed (final), and percentage permeability at each time was calculated relative to maximum permeability (%Lp) and analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (α=0.05). Surface effects were analyzed by SEM.
Results: SEM images, supported by XPS, revealed that samples treated with dopamine, dopamine + laccase, and pyrocatechol + laccase exhibited complete dentin surface coverage with mineral deposits and mineral formation in dentinal tubule walls. Conversely, the untreated group and those treated with laccase or PBS alone showed partial tubule occlusion and minimal surface mineral deposition. Following abrasive-erosive cycling, all groups showed a significant reduction in permeability (p<0.05), but no statistically significant differences were detected between groups (p=0.6082). However, smaller tubule diameters were observed in samples treated with Colgate® Sensitive Pró-Alívio™ and the experimental dopamine + laccase solution.
Conclusions: Overall, dopamine’s adherence and mineralization capability are attributed to its catechol group, while laccase only accelerates and mediates dopamine polymerization reaction. However, under the abrasive-erosive conditions proposed, dopamine exhibited limited protective effects, not significantly reducing dentin permeability as well as the other treatment’ solutions tested.
Author(s)