The Effect of Low Level Laser Ga-Al-As on the Treatment of Dentinal Sensitivity after Amalgam Restorations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pain and sensitivity to thermal irritation after amalgam restoration is one of the most common problems, causes frequent recurrence of these patients to dental clinics. Since low-level laser has several benefits in reducing inflammation, pain and sensitivity, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level Ga-Al-As laser on the treatment of dentinal sensitivity after amalgam restoration. METHODS: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 21 patients with short-term sensitivity to thermal irritation after amalgam restoration (from the time of repair to two months) were evaluated. The case group was treated with Ga-Al-As laser in 4 sessions with intervals of three days. For the control group, the similar condition was applied except that the device was off. The sensitivity was assessed based on VAS criteria prior to treatment, immediately after treatment, and 3 and 6 months after treatment. FINDINGS: Pre and post-treatment pain in case group was 7.3±1.16, 4.5±3.03 and in control group was 6.45±1.75, 4.27±3.04 respectively. The reduction in pain immediately after treatment was significant only in the case group (p= 0.004). In the follow-up period of 3 and 6 months, the mean VAS in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p= 0.026 and p= 0.020, respectively). CONCLUSION: Based on the results this study, the Ga-Al-As low-level laser has a decreasing effect on the sensitivity of post-amalgam restorations in a short term.

Keywords

• low-level laser
• dental amalgam
• hypersensitivity.