Intrapulpal temperature rise following two dentin hypersensitivity treatment protocols using diode laser: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

This study sought to assess intrapulpal temperature rise following two dentin hypersensitivity (DH) treatment protocols using the 810-nm diode laser. In this randomized clinical trial, 45 maxillary and mandibular incisors and premolars were randomly divided into three groups primary phase (no intervention), 1 W diode laser for 10 s (group 1), and 0.5 W diode laser for 60 s (group 2). In all groups, the access cavity was prepared, and the thermocouple was placed in the pulp chamber and fixed by Cavit. Intrapulpal temperature was measured immediately after access cavity preparation and every minute for 10 min in the primary phase. In the second phase group 1, the temperature was measured with 2-s intervals after irradiation for 10 s and group 2, with 15-s intervals after irradiation for 60 s. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and t test (P ≤ 0.05). The mean stabilized baseline temperature was 32 °C. The mean temperature rise was 5 °C. In both experimental groups, the stabilized temperature after laser irradiation was significantly higher than the baseline temperature (P 0.05). Time to stabilize temperature after irradiation in group 1 was significantly shorter than that in group 2 (P < 0.05). Both the tested protocols seem to be safe regarding intrapulpal temperature rise. However, considering the slight overheating observed in a small percentage of teeth in both groups, caution must be taken in the use of these protocols for the treatment of DH.