Nd:YAG laser and calcium sodium phosphosilicate prophylaxis paste in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: a double-blind randomized clinical study.

Abstract

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser and a calcium sodium phosphosilicate-containing paste (NovaMin®) in the treatment of cervical dentin hypersensitivity (CDH). Seventy patients were randomly allocated into the following experimental groups: control-placebo, calcium sodium phosphosilicate paste (NovaMin®), and Nd:YAG laser (1W, 10Hz, 85J/cm2). Pain was evaluated by means of a visual analog pain scale (VAS) after evaporative stimulation with a jet of air and tactile stimulation with an exploratory probe, before treatment (baseline) and after 5min, 1week, and 4weeks. When patients presented more than one tooth with CDH, the mean of the values obtained was calculated. Irradiation with Nd:YAG laser was performed twice in the mesial-distal and twice in the occlusal-gingival direction. The NovaMin®-containing paste was applied with a rubber cup at low speed for 60s. Patients of the placebo group received simulations of the two treatments. As the data presented normal distribution, the two-way ANOVA repeated measures test was used. In all the experimental times, reduction in pain was demonstrated in comparison with baseline for all treatments (p < 0.05); however, there was no difference among the experimental groups in any of the time intervals evaluated (p > 0.05). All treatments were equally effective in reducing the pain of CDH. Nd:YAG laser irradiation and the calcium sodium phosphosilicate paste could reduce the symptoms of CDH; thus, they stand out as viable alternatives for the treatment of this condition.