The Characteristics of the reported studies are mentioned in the Table 3. Mahmoud et al [10] assessed the results of efficacy of propolis on 26 female subjects from Saudi Arabia King Saud University. He also evaluated the degree of satisfaction among participants after its use. The study concluded for a period of four weeks. During this four weeks’ time, participants were followed twice, 1: after one week and second time at the end of the study time. The base line results were satisfactory. Up to 85 % of the females were satisfied with the results and it was found that propolis had remarkable effects on hypersensitivity during that research period.
Almas et al [11] obtained 24 recently removed premolar teeth which were acquired from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Section, King Saud University, Riyadh. Out of 48 dentin disk specimens, 24 specimens were handled with propolis and saline. They were classified into 4 groups, i.e.: (1) no material usage (control); (2) treatment with propolis for 60 seconds; (3) treatment with propolis for 120 seconds; and (4) saline treatment for 60 seconds. All specimens were primed for electron microscopy scanning amd analyzed in SEM. Dental tubular occlusion persisted in all three propolis-treated dentin classes for 120 seconds. In occluding dental tubules, the propolis was stronger than saline.
Sales et al [12] estimated the efficacy of two propolis gels, fluoride gel and potassium oxalate in limiting the hydraulic conductance of dentin. For this purpose the researchers obtained 36 extracted teeth dentine discs and were divided into four treatment groups. Group 1 with 10% propolis gel, Group 2 with 30% propolis gel, Group 3 with 3% potassium oxalate and Group 4 with fluoride gel of 1.23%. SEM analysis was done to observe the occluding capacity of the four groups. Propolis gel was found to be occluding the tubules partially.
Madhavan et al [13] estimated the outcome of three desensitizer’s i.e. CCP-ACPF, sodium fluoride and propolis and placebo was used as a control group to combat hypersensitivity. One hundred and twenty participants were evenly split into four classes with written informed consent to engage in this 3-month research. Demographic information, along with medical and dental records, were collected at the first screening session. In this analysis, each participant was provided with one of the four desensitizing items in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions. Pre-and post-treatment tests were performed on the average, seventh day, fifteenth day, twenty eighth day, sixtieth day, and observations were reported by the same investigator. The final evaluation was reported on the 90th day without any medication. The mean hypersensitivity values of the teeth handled with the study group declined over a span of three months relative to the control group. Overall, propolis was the overall winner in managing the hypersensitivity and that the CPP-ACPF was the least effective.
To test the effectiveness of propolis, Torwane et al [14] included 73 teeth from 13 individuals from Central Jail, Bhopal with at least three dentinally hypersensitive teeth was assigned randomly among three care groups. Group A comprised of 30% propolis, Group B with Recaldent and Group C with sterile water. Their baseline scores were recorded. Each group received intervention on first, seventh, fourteenth and twenty first day in a row and after every order their scores were registered. The results found out that Propolis and Recaldent causes a large drop in the sensitivity.
Hongal et al [15] assessed the potential of 30% ethanolic extract of propolis in blocking dental tubules. Thirty Extracted third molars were utilized and stored in 10% formalin. A section was obtained from each sample and was polished. All the specimen were divided into three treatment groups. Test groups consists of propolis and GC tooth mousse and a control group. SEM analysis was done to see the extent of occlusion. GC tooth mousse created crystal like deposits to occlude the tubules while propolis fabricated a thin layer over the occluding surface, hence propolis was successful in occluding uniformly.
Purra et al [16] evaluated the effectiveness of propolis for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity. For this purpose he and his collegues recruited participants aged between 20-40 years possessing sensitivity and willing to engage in this research for 3 months. Ten patients meeting the above criteria were included and teeth chosen for analysis were canine, bicuspids and tricuspids. Every patient was administered with Propolis saturated ethanol solution, 5% potassium nitrate and purified water. For the application of the agent and re-evaluation the patients were retrieved at the seventh day, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. The last re-evaluation of patients was done 3 months following the first application. The findings between the Propolis group and the potassium nitrate group revealed little substantial change in the immediate post-treatment period; but at the end of the first week and the second week the findings were substantial. A contrast between the groups once again revealed no noticeable gap at 4 weeks and 3 months’ time. It was concluded that in relieving hypersensitivity, Propolis was more successful than 5 percent potassium nitrate, which had an immediate lasting effect.
To evaluate the efficacy of propolis, Chen [17] and collegues compared its effectiveness with arginine-calcium carbonate and calcium sodium phosphosilicate. To achieve this, 80 dentine disks were created with thickness of 1.0 (+ -) 0.1 mm. enamel was removed so that dentine is exposed. These discs were than polished to obtain an even surface and then were placed in distilled water so that abrasive is removed. Etchant was applied so that tubules may open up. After etching, these were soaked in saline for SEM analysis. The discs were randomly divided into four groups. 20 disks treated with propolis, 20 with arginine calcium carbonate, 20 with calcium sodium phosphosilicate and 20 in control (saline) group. It was found out that Propolis treated discs obstructed more tubules than the counter groups.
Kripal et al [18] conducted a study in the department of periodontology, Rajarajeshwari Dental College on 20 freshly extracted teeth which were free from any decay and were not root canal treated earlier. These teeth have been processed in formalin and used within one month after they have been pulled out. Crowns were sliced with a diamond blade, opposite to the long axis of the base, producing dentin disks from the mid-coronal dentin. The twenty disks were divided into two groups half of them in the test group and half of them were included in the control group. Each disk were handled with phosphoric acid as etchant accompanied by 30 seconds wash with water. The disks in the research group were painted with propolis varnish with a help of a thin brush and processed for 10 minutes prior washing with water. Control group disks were embedded in saline and the disks of both classes were exposed to a SEM examination. The results were significant and there was a substantial decline in the mean amount of accessible tubules in Group I disks, which was about 61.75 per cent. No decrease was found in the mean amount of free tubules in Group II. This research demonstrated the potential of propolis as a natural treatment modality for dental hypersensitivity.