The effectiveness of lasers in treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, a scoping review on lasers parametes and clinical protocols

Background: The clinical application of laser therapy has emerged as an effective therapeutic modality for managing dentin hypersensitivity (DH). This scoping review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various laser types in treating DH, summarize tooth preparation protocols (pre-,intra-, and post-laser therapy), and analyze optimal laser parameters. Methods: The electronic database (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and Scopus) were searched for English-language studies published between January 2010 and October 2025. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by independent observers. Results: Out of 765 identified articles, 59 were initially screened, and 25 met the final eligibility criteria. Our findings confirm the clinical efficacy of various laser modalities in mitigating DH. While some studies reported no significant superiority of lasers over conventional desensitizing agents or placebos, the majority suggested that combined modalities yielded superior results, characterized by both rapid onset and long-term stability. Specifically, the application of low-level diode lasers (630–980 nm), Er:Cr:YSGG lasers (at power settings of 0.25 or 0.5 W), and high-power Nd:YAG lasers were identified as effective therapeutic approaches. Conclusion: Both high-power and low-power lasers, including diode lasers at various wavelengths, and different laser parameters are capable of alleviating DH when utilized with optimized output settings. Furthermore, the synergistic use of chemical desensitizing agents in conjunction with laser therapy, particularly low-power lasers, represents a highly effective clinical strategy for the management of DH. Tooth preparation protocols pre-, intra-, and post-laser therapy must be considered.