Comparative evaluation of use of a diode laser and electrode application with and without two dentinal tubule occluding agents in the management of dentinal hypersensitivity – A clinical study

Abstract

Background: Dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is common problem in dentistry. Traditional agents along with alternative therapies have been researched. Aim: To study the efficacy of a diode laser (DL) and electrode application with and without hydroxyapatite (HAP) and strontium chloride (SrCl2) powder. Materials and Methods: 60 Patients with mild cervical abrasion in at least two quadrant with two teeth per quadrant were selected and randomly divided into four groups: (i) Group 1– DL versus DL with HAP (ii) Group 2 – electrode application versus electrode application with HAP (iii) Group 3 - DL versus DL with SrCl2 (iv) Group 4 - electrode application versus electrode application with SrCl2 and were subjected to tactile stimulus and air blast test and scores were recorded on verbal rating scale (VRS) and visual analogues scale (VAS) at different time for 3 months. The data was statistically evaluated by one way ANOVA and paired t test. Results: In group 1 and 3, DL alone had a short term reduction of hypersensitivity (P = 0.001). Synergistic effect of DL and HAP (group 1) showed a prolonged reduction on both scales (P 0.05) however group 4 showed significant reduction only in VAS score (p>0.05). Conclusion: DL alone had a short lived effect however with adjunctive sustained results were obtained whereas electrode application was neither beneficial nor did cause any adverse effect.

Keywords

• dentinal hypersensitivity
• diode laser
• electrosurgical unit
• hydroxyapatite
• strontium chloride
• verbal rating scale
• visual analog scale