Laser and Cyanoacrylate for the Treatment of Dentine Hypersensitivity: Survival Analysis and Predictive Factors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to determine how long the effects of laser and cyanoacrylate last when used as treatments for dentine hypersensitivity (DH). In addition, the predictive factors of DH recurrence and the prevalence of DH according to type of tooth were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-two patients contributed with 434 sensitive teeth. Two hundred sixteen teeth were randomized to receive laser treatment (wavelength of 795 nm) and 218 received cyanoacrylate treatment. Both treatments were applied three times at intervals of 48 hours. Dentine hypersensitivity was assessed by air stimulus at baseline and 1, 30, 90 and 180 days after treatment by a blinded researcher. Additionally, possible etiologic factors were assessed. The data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves and by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Both groups had signifi cant reductions in DH. Treatment failure occurred in 276 (63.6%) treated teeth and 158 (36.4%) teeth maintained the result of the treatment until the end of the study (censored teeth). The survival rate at 6 months was 36% for laser treatment, and 36% for cyanoacrylate. There was no signifi cant difference between the survival curves (p = 0.703). Gingival recession and abfraction increased the risk of treatment failure by 2.04 (p = 0.002) and 2.76 (p less than 0.001) times, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these two approaches to DH treatment had a survival rate of 36%at 6 months. The most prevalent hypersensitive tooth is the first premolar. Gingival recession and abfraction predict the recurrence of DH irrespective of patient age and sex.