Treatment of dentin hypersensitivity by Nd:YAG laser

BACKGROUND, AIMS: Promising results using Nd:YAG laser against dentin hypersensitivity have been reported. The aim of this double-blind, controlled, split-mouth designed clinical trial was to assess the effect of a single Nd:YAG laser application on alleviating hypersensitivity. METHODS/RESULTS: Seventeen subjects participated in the study. Each of them had two teeth treated; one with the laser activated and one with nonactivated (placebo), for 2 min The assessment of pain was performed by a VAS, after an air blast at baseline immediately after treatment, at 1 week, 4 weeks and 16 weeks. Mean values of VAS for test and control teeth were compared by paired t-test (alpha = 0.05). The results showed mean baseline VAS values of 6.59 (+/- 1.65) and 6.14(+/- 1.95) for test and control teeth, respectively. Immediately after treatment, these values decreased to 4.09(+/- 2.28) and 3.89(+/- 2.11), respectively. After 1 week, 4 weeks and 16 weeks the mean values for test and control teeth were 3.85 +/- 2.36, 4.03 +/- 1.95, 3.60 +/- 2.66, and 4.44 +/- 2.56, 3.41 +/- 2.30, 3.42 +/- 2.30, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between test and control at any time. However, both groups improved significantly (P < 0.05) from baseline to immediately after application, and at 1 week, 4 weeks and 16 weeks, respectively. The changes that occurred between immediately after application and 1 week, 4 weeks and 16 weeks, respectively, were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the effect of treatment of hypersensitive teeth with Nd:YAG laser is not different from placebo. The observed effects seem to last for at least 16 weeks.