CLINICAL APPLICATION OF DIODE LASER IN THE TREATMENT OF DENTINE HYPERSENSITIVITY BY DIFFERENT POWER

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of low and high output power of a 980 nm diode laser in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. Twelve teeth were selected having dentine hypersensitivity. Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) was assessed by tactile and thermal stimuli and measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) Teeth were randomly divided into two groups namely: group A, treated with high power diode laser of 1 W and group B, treated with low power of 500 mW. A 980 nm diode laser was used for duration of 60 second. Teeth from both groups were subjected to one laser session. Dentin hypersensitivity was measured before and after laser application by 15 minutes and again evaluated after one week. The obtained results for both groups, (before versus after 15 minute of laser sessions) showed a significant reduction in VAS scores (p-value < 0.05). Intergroup comparison showed that reduction in VAS scores was significantly high in group A. However, the comparison between after 15 minutes versus one week, mean reduction in VAS scores decreased in the two groups may indicate slit recurrence of hypersensitivity. This study shows that a 980 nm diode laser with high output power of 1 W can be used effectively in providing immediate relief in severe cases of dentin hypersensitivity and still better after one week.