Low-level laser therapy in cases of dentin hypersensitivity

Abstract

Dentin hypersensitivity is characterized by short, sharp pain in response to a stimulus – thermal, drying, tactile, osmotic or chemical. These stimuli cause an unpleasant sensation lasting from seconds to minutes after provocation. Many alternative treatment methods have been introduced. One of the options is the use of low-level laser therapy, whose effect is based on the increase of the excitability threshold of the free nerve endings causing an analgesic effect, as well as on the stimulation of pulp mesenchymal cells to differentiate into odontoblasts and produce reparative dentin. To investigate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in treating dentin hypersensitivity, we selected a group of patients complaining of sensitivity at the cervical area of teeth provoked by stimuli such as air, touch and cold spray. The patients were with good oral hygiene and with intact teeth or small non-carious cervical lesions. They confirmed the absence of serious systematic and psychological diseases; some of them smoked electronic cigarettes, which may aggravate the pain. The patients were submitted to six sessions of treatment of dentin hypersensitivity with intervals from 48 to 72 hours, as indicated by the manufacturer of the low-intensity laser device. The painful sensation was measured before each of the six sessions and immediately after the treatment. The results were evaluated by using a four-point scale. The answers assessment showed good results – there was a decrease of the pain sensation from 3-4 level to 1-2 level. Yet, we have to interpret this carefully, because pain evaluation is subjective and some of the smokers have quit smoking electronic cigarettes during the treatment. As a method of curing dentin hypersensitivity, the low-level laser therapy shows a good treatment efficacy, but needs further continuous follow-up.