Clinical evaluation of the effect of 980 nm diode laser and fluoride varnish on dentin hypersensitivity

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a common and challenging clinical condition with limited long-lasting treatments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 980 nm diode laser treatment, associated or not with fluoride varnish, in the treatment of DH. Sixty volunteers were selected and randomly assigned for treatment following three different protocols (1- treatment with 0.8W diode laser; 2- treatment with 0.8 W diode laser over fluoride varnish; or 3- fluoride varnish only). The 0.8 W diode laser was applied in contact with the exposed roots at 10 Hz, for 30 s, with 99.17J/cm2 energy density, using a zigzag pattern. DH assessment was performed using the visual analog scale (VAS), prior to treatment, immediately after treatment, and at 7, 30, and 180 days after treatment. The data obtained were subjected to two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p <0.05). The varnish group showed a reduction in DH up to 30 days, whereas the laser and laser + varnish groups showed a reduction in DH up to 180 days ,with no difference between them. The laser and laser + varnish groups were superior to the varnish group after 30 days. The treatment of exposed roots with diode laser alone or associated with fluoride varnish, according to the parameters used in this study, was effective in reducing DH up to six months.