Retrospective Evaluation of Nd: YAG Laser Application with Visual Analog Scale in the Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH); It is a common oral complaint characterized by a sharp pain in the dentin in response to stimuli such as touch, hot-cold, osmotic pressure changes, and chemical agents. The treatment of DH is difficult due to the difficulties in determining the pain intensity and the change in pain threshold from patient to patient. Many desensitizing products and techniques with different effect mechanisms have been used in the treatment of DH, which has more than one treatment option. Today, lasers have been used to increase the success of DH treatment. Although different types of lasers are used in DH treatment, it has been reported that Nd: YAG laser may be more effective in reducing patient pain compared to other laser types.

Aim: It was aimed to evaluate the effect of Nd: YAG laser on dentin sensitivity treatment by comparing the pre-treatment and first year control VAS (Visual Analog Scale) value records.

Materials and Methods: Records of 16 (13 females, 3 males) patients were examined, Nd: YAG laser treatment was performed for DH, and the data of 90 teeth were analyzed using the records taken with the VAS scale at the beginning and at the first year.

Results: Compared to the beginning, there was a statistically significant decrease in DH in the first year after treatment (p <0.001).

Conclusion: Nd: YAG laser irradiation could reduce the symptoms of DH; thus, and it may be viable alternative for the treatment of this condition.