Effects of the combined desensitizing dentifrice and diode laser therapy in the treatment of desensitization of teeth with gingival recession.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare clinically the efficacy of desensitizer toothpaste alone and in combination with the diode laser in the management of dentin hypersensitivity (DH), as well as both the immediate and late therapeutic effects on teeth with gingival recessions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 52 teeth diagnosed with DH in 13 (seven women, six men, aged 16-48 years) healthy adult patients were included in this study, and teeth were randomly divided equally into two groups: the test group, which received treatment with desensitizer toothpaste and GaAlAs (diode) laser, and the control group, treated with desensitizer toothpaste. DH was assessed by means of an air stimulus, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure DH. The selected teeth in the test group received laser therapy for three sessions. Teeth subjected to diode-laser treatment were irradiated at 100 mW for 25 sec at 808 nm, with continuous-emission, noncontact mode, perpendicular to the surface, with scanning movements on the region of exposed root surfaces.

RESULTS

Significant reduction of DH occurred at all times measured during the three treatment sessions in the test group. When compared with the means of the responses in the three treatment sessions of the two groups, the test group showed a higher degree of desensitization in teeth with gingival recession than did the control group (p < 0.001). The immediate and late therapeutic effects of the diode laser were more evident compared with those of desensitizer toothpaste.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of the present study, a significant effect of combined desensitizer toothpaste and diode laser therapy occurs in the treatment of desensitization of teeth with gingival recession. Desensitizer toothpaste appears to have the therapeutic potential to alleviate DH. Conversely, diode laser can be used to reduce DH.