Diode laser and desensitizing agent team up against dentinal hypersenstivity: Will this duo succeed?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is a chronic disorder in which patients report sharp and acute pain to a variety of stimuli, that occurs when the dentin is exposed. Patients with DH, tend to change their daily habits leading to changes in their way of life so it is important to highlight the treatment of DH by several alternative including laser therapies, desensitizing agents etc. AIM: To study the effect of clinical application of diode laser (810 nm) in comparison with a desensitizer (5% KNO3) in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population comprising of 60 patients with 120 teeth assigned into 3 groups. Group I: treated with 5% KNO3 for 60 sec, using a disposable brush and restrained to rinse until 3 min. Group II: Lased with diode laser (810 nm) in non contact mode with a fiber tip for 60 sec. using a power wattage from 1 – 2 watts kept at a distance of 10 – 20 cm from the surface of tooth. Group III: Treated with both 5% KNO3 and diode laser for 60 sec. After cleaning, drying and isolating the tooth patients‘s response was checked using a visual analogue scale (VAS) both before and after e treatment and at the follow ups of 15 min, 2 and 4 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: An independent paired t test was used to evaluate the periodontal clinical parameters and VAS. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Synergism of diode laser and KNO3 together, showed the best results than their individual application. KEYWORDS: Diode laser (810nm), dentinal hypersensitivity, 5% KNO3