title: Comparative evaluation of the effects of Nd:YAG laser and a desensitizer agent on the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: a clinical study.
abstract: Abstract Objective: The aim of this randomized longitudinal clinical study was to assess different treatment protocols for dentin hypersensitivity with high-power laser, desensitizing agent, and its association between high-power laser and desensitizing agent, for a period of 6 months.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The literature shows a lack of treatment for dentin hypersensitivity, and lasers are contemporary alternatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  After inclusion and exclusion analysis, volunteers were selected. The lesions were divided into three groups (n=10): G1, Gluma Desensitizer (Heraeus Kulzer); G2, Nd:YAG Laser (Power Laser(™) ST6, Lares Research®) contact mode, laser protocol of 1.5 W, 10 Hz, and 100 mJ,≈85 J/cm(2), four irradiations performed, each for 15 sec, in mesiodistal and occluso-apical directions, totaling 60 sec of irradiation with intervals of 10 sec between them; G3, Nd:YAG Laser+Gluma Desensitizer. The level of sensitivity to pain of each volunteer was analyzed by visual analog scale (VAS) using cold air stimuli and exploratory probe 5 min, 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Data were collected and subjected to statistical analysis that detected statistically significant differences between the various studied time intervals of treatments (p>0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the air stimulus, no significant differences were found for each time interval. For the long-term evaluation, all groups showed statistical differences (p>0.05), indicating that for G2 and G3, this difference was statistically significant from the first time of evaluation (post 1), whereas in G1, the difference was significant from the post 2 evaluation (1 week). Comparison among groups using the probe stimulation showed significant differences in pain (p<0.001). Only in G1 and G3 did this difference become significant from post 01.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All protocols were effective in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity after 6 months of treatment; however, the association of Nd:YAG and Gluma Desensitizer is an effective treatment strategy that has immediate and long-lasting effects.
authors: Department of Restorative Dentistry/Special Laboratory of Lasers (LELO), School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Anely Oliveira
authors: AO
authors: Lopes
authors: Ana Cecília Correa
authors: AC
authors: Aranha
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000628:therapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005976:Glutaral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D008689:Methacrylates; C111486:gluma desensitizer; D005976:Glutaral