Clinical Evaluation of Nd:YAG Laser With and Without Dentin Bonding Agent for the Treatment of Occlusal Hypersensitivity.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare both the immediate and delayed desensitizing effects of the Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped:yttrium aluminum garnet; Nd3+ :Y3 Al5 O12 ) laser with and without dentin bonding agent (DBA) on occlusal dentinal hypersensitivity (DH).

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-one patients with a total of 117 chronic occlusal hypersensitive teeth were selected. Each subject had at least three hypersensitive teeth. These teeth were randomly allocated into three groups: group 1, DBA on the occlusal surface; group 2, Nd:YAG laser (1064-nm wavelength, 30 mJ of energy, 10 pulse/s, 60 seconds, two times); and group 3, Nd:YAG laser (1064-nm wavelength, 30 mJ of energy, 10 pulse/s, 60 seconds, two times) with DBA. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale after stimulation of the sensitive teeth by using the sharp tip of an explorer and an air blast prior to treatment and immediately, one week, one month, and three months after treatment by one blinded examiner.

RESULTS: A significant reduction in occlusal DH occurred at all time points in all of the experimental groups. The three groups showed significant improvements in discomfort immediately after treatment and after one week ( p<0.001), but the Nd:YAG laser with DBA group had greater efficacy when compared with the other groups. The Nd:YAG laser group and Nd:YAG laser with DBA group had no significant differences at one month and three months after treatment ( p>0.05); however, their desensitizing efficacy was superior to the DBA group.

CONCLUSIONS: The Nd:YAG laser with DBA may be most effective in the long-term treatment of occlusal DH, although other measures also reduce DH.