A comparative evaluation of diode laser, stannous fluoride gel and potassium nitrate gel in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity- A clinical study

Background and objectives: The acute, non-spontaneous, short or long lasting nature of pain due to hypersensitivity that appears suddenly on stimulation warrants a therapeutic mode which would bring about a significantly greater, immediate reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity. Lasers may now provide reliable and reproducible treatment for this condition. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of diode laser with stannous fluoride and potassium nitrate gels in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. Material and methods: 54 patients with dentinal hypersensitivity, in the age range of 25-45 yrs having 2 adjacent teeth with cervical dentinal hypersensitivity to tactile, thermal and air stimulation were included. The patients were divided equally, randomly into 3 groups: 1) Group A-18 Patients treated with diode laser, 2) Group B- 18 Patients treated with 0.4% stannous fluoride gel, 3) Group C-18 Patients treated with 5% potassium nitrate gel. Each group was treated at baseline; at weekly intervals for two consecutive weeks and at 1, 3 and 6 months, or till the symptoms subsided. Results: All the three groups showed significant decrease in the DH scores between baseline and 6 months. This was more pronounced in Group A at all time intervals. When the three groups were compared with each other, there was a statistically significant decrease in DH in Group A, which was more than Group B and Group C at week 1. Conclusion: The 940nm diode laser was not only as efficacious but also brought about an immediate relief as compared to stannous fluoride and potassium nitrate gels in the reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity. Keywords: Dentine Hypersensitivity; Diode Laser; Potassium Nitrate; Stannous Fluoride.