Immediate efficacy of diode laser application in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity in periodontal maintenance patients: a randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the immediate efficacy in the reduction of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) when applying an 810 nm diode laser (DL), and a 10% potassium nitrate bioadhesive gel (NK10%).


METHODS
Forty-five consecutive periodontal maintenance patients of both sexes, with a DH >or= 2 on the verbal rating scale (VRS) in one or more teeth, were randomly allocated into three equal groups: 15 patients received DL and placebo gel; 15 patients were tested with a placebo laser and NK10%; and the remaining 15 received a placebo laser and placebo gel. The DH was evaluated at the start of the study, 15 and 30 min. after the laser application, and on days 2, 4, 7, 14, 30 and 60 by a blind examiner.


RESULTS
After 15 min., observations showed a reduction in DH after an evaporative stimulus (ES) of 36.9% (0.86), three times greater than that of the control group (0.23) (p=0.008). After 14 days, this effect was even greater [DL 71.7% (1.67)/NK10% 36.3% (1.73)/control 28.1% (0.73); p=0.004], and lasted until day 60 [65.7% (1.53)/30.4% (0.73)/25.8% (0.67); p=0.01].


CONCLUSIONS
The DL and NK10% gel were proven effective in the treatment of DH. A significantly greater immediate response was observed with DL.
Sicilia
Alberto
A
Clinica Sicilia, Oviedo, Spain. asicilia@clinicasicilia.com
Cuesta-Frechoso
Susana
S
Suárez
Alfonso
A
Angulo
Jorge
J
Pordomingo
Armando
A
De Juan
Pablo
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000517:prevention & control; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D010919:Placebos; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch; D055815:Young Adult
D005782:Gels; D009566:Nitrates; D010919:Placebos; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C023844:potassium nitrate