Photobiomodulation with infrared laser to control dental hypersensitivity in children with molar-incisor hypomineralization – clinical cases

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a common developmental dental defect of permanent teeth, that negatively affects enamel and dentin, predominantly affecting permanent molars and occasionally impacting permanent incisors. Clinical manifestations of HMI are patient-specific and can be categorized by the extent and severity of the enamel defects. These classifications range from mild to severe and may include the loss of tooth structure. Additionally, HMI can give rise to pronounced aesthetic challenges and may elicit hypersensitivity in some cases. This study aimed to address gaps in literature by describing treatment for pediatric patients with HMI and managing dentin hypersensitivity. These case reports document patients with MIH-caused hypersensitivity who underwent photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment using a low-power infrared laser in four irradiation sessions. The following irradiation parameters were applied: energy of 2J, output power of 100 mW, for 20 s, in continuous mode, with a beam area of ​​0.04 cm2, per point. The irradiation points targeted on the affected teeth were: one in the cervical area, one in the apical region of each root, and one in the occlusal region of the molars. Pain levels were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale before and after treatment. Following laser therapy sessions, the patients remained under observation and reported no complaints associated with the condition. It can be concluded that PBM therapy with a low-power laser effectively treats hypersensitivity in MIH, controlling discomfort and pain to improve the patient's quality of life.