<![CDATA[Background: Propolis is an herbal material collected by honeybees from plants and has the ability to seal dentinal tubules. Toothpaste combined with propolis may be an ideal treatment for dentin hypersensitivity. Occlusion of exposed dentinal tubules using propolis-formulated toothpaste is expected to decrease the excitation of sensory nerves in open dentinal tubules. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of propolis ethanol extract (PEE)-formulated toothpaste on dentinal tubule occlusion using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods: Twenty-five freshly extracted bovine teeth were prepared, etched with 6% citric acid, and rinsed with distilled water. The samples were randomly divided into five groups: negative control (NC), 5% PEE toothpaste, 15% PEE toothpaste, 25% PEE toothpaste, and positive control (PC), which received bioactive toothpaste (Novamin). The PEE groups were treated using an electric toothbrush twice daily for 2 minutes, rinsed with distilled water, immersed in artificial saliva, and stored in an incubator at 37 °C. Treatment was repeated for 7 days, and dentinal tubules were evaluated by SEM on day 8. Results: The number and diameter of dentinal tubules in the 5% PEE toothpaste group were higher than those in the 15% and 25% PEE toothpaste groups, with significant differences among all groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in dentinal tubule diameter between the 25% PEE toothpaste and positive control groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PEE toothpaste affected dentinal tubule occlusion by reducing the number and diameter of exposed dentinal tubules.]]>
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