title: Clinical evaluation of a 3% potassium oxalate gel and a GaAlAs laser for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the immediate and 3 month clinical effects of a low-level gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser and a 3% potassium oxalate gel for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 164 teeth from 30 patients with clinical diagnoses of dentinal hypersensitivity were selected for this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study. The teeth were randomized to three groups: GaAlAs laser, oxalate gel, and placebo gel. The treatment sessions were performed at 7 d intervals for four consecutive weeks. The degree of sensitivity in response to an air blast and tactile stimuli was assessed according to a visual analogue scale at baseline, immediately after the fourth application, and then 3 months after the fourth application. The reductions in dentinal hypersensitivity from baseline at the two follow-up assessments were evaluated as the main outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both the active and control groups, there were statistically significant reductions in dentinal hypersensitivity immediately after and 3 months after the treatments, when compared with the hypersensitivity at baseline. No significant differences among the three groups could be detected in their efficacy at either the immediate or 3 month evaluations irrespective of the stimulus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatments under study were effective for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity, and longer observational periods could enhance the ability of studies to detect differences between active and placebo groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Helen Magacho
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Vanara Florêncio
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Passos
authors.forename: Jorgiana Silva
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: de Assis
authors.forename: Juliano Sartori
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.forename: Sérgio Lima
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Santiago
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001697:Biomedical and Dental Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010070:Oxalates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001697:Biomedical and Dental Materials; D005782:Gels; D010070:Oxalates