The effectiveness of the Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of dental hypersensitivity.

Dentin hypersensitivity is one of the most painful and least predictably treated chronic conditions in dentistry. The effectiveness of laser therapy in the reduction of dentin hypersensitivity and its effects on pulpal vitality were studied. Nineteen subjects participated in the randomized, double-blind study, and were followed up for three months. Two sites were treated. One received helium neon (He:Ne) laser treatment and the other received He:Ne plus Nd:YAG (He:Ne+Nd:YAG) laser treatment. Laser treatment consisted of 30 millijoules (mJ) to 100 mJ per pulse, at 10 pulses per second (pps) in increments of 10-40 seconds each over a total treatment time of less than two minutes, without local anesthesia. Hypersensitivity was assessed by mechanical stimulus (using a sharp explorer), and thermal stimulus (using a blast of cold air from a dental syringe). Pulpal vitality was measured using an electrical stimulus. The results indicate that immediately following laser treatment and for three months thereafter, the subjects' perceived level of discomfort decreased. He:Ne treatment reduced dentin hypersensitivity to air by 63 per cent and to mechanical stimulation by 61 per cent over three months. The He:Ne + Nd:YAG treatment reduced dentin sensitivity to air by 58 per cent and to mechanical stimulation by 61 per cent. All teeth remained vital after laser treatment, with no adverse reactions or complications. He:Ne and He:Ne + Nd:YAG laser treatment can be used to reduce dentin hypersensitivity without detrimental pulpal effects.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes