Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 3s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Nishita Kankane.
nishitakankane@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is one of the most common causes of the dental ailment, which affects the quality of life of the individuals. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the efficacy of low-level diode laser and 5% topical potassium nitrate with 0.62% sodium monofluorophosphate gel in the management of this painful hypersensitive condition.  Material and methods: The study was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms. A total of 45 patients under the age group 18-60 years who appeared in the department of Public health dentistry of People’s College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bhopal, and local screening camps, with the complaint of DH were enrolled in the study. DH was assessed by mean of both air pressure and tactile stimuli and measured by the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS). The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups consisting of 15 patients in each group. Group 1 (G1): (15 patients): subjects were treated with 5.0% potassium nitrate with 0.62% sodium monofluorophosphate gel. Group 2 (G2) :(15subjects): subjects were treated with a 980-nm diode laser. Group 3 (G3): (15patients): Patients were treated with placebo gel (Vaseline). Both air and tactile stimuli evaluations were recorded before and after every treatment session, at baseline, immediately after treatment, 15 days after treatment and one month after treatment.  Results: There was a significant decrease in mean values immediately after treatment, with an increase in mean of dentinal hypersensitivity 15 days and one month after treatment in all the three groups. However, group 2 showed the least increase in mean DH pain, one month after treatment.  Group 1 showed an increase in mean DH pain greater than group 2, 1 month after treatment. Group 3 depicted almost equivalent pain values, 1-month post-treatment and at the baseline.  Conclusion: The results of the study suggested that both the treatment options diode laser and 5% potassium nitrate with 0.62% sodium monofluorophosphate gel are effective in treating dentinal hypersensitivity but the GaAlAs laser showed a very high capability to reduce the Dentinal hypersensitivity a dental ailment for a longer period of time.

Keywords: Dentinal hypersensitivity, Diode laser, Potassium Nitrate, Sodium monofluorophosphate.