Nd:YAP laser in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity: An ex vivo study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aims of this ex vivo study were to evaluate the effectiveness of the Nd:YAP laser in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity, to compare the temperature rise during laser irradiation at three different dentine thicknesses, and to analyse the composition of the dentine-lased surface.

METHODS:

A total of 33 teeth were used in this study. For scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, 24 teeth were transversely sectioned and divided into 4 groups: group A was irrigated with EDTA; group B was irradiated by Nd:YAP laser with 180 mJ energy/per pulse, 0.9 W average power, and 5 Hz frequency (power density [PD] = 229 W/cm2); group C was irradiated by Nd:YAP laser with 280 mJ energy/pulse, 1.4 W average power, and 5 Hz frequency (PD = 356 W/cm2); and group D was irradiated by Nd:YAP with 360 mJ energy/pulse, 1.8 W average power, and 5 Hz frequency (PD = 458 W/cm2). Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis was performed on the same teeth evaluated for SEM observations. For temperature increase evaluation performed with thermocouples, 9 teeth were transversely sectioned at 3 different thicknesses (3 for each group) of 1, 2, and 3 mm.

RESULTS:

Statistical analysis showed significant changes in the diameter of the dentinal tubule orifices among all groups; EDS did not show modification of the Ca/P ratio. Temperature increase under irradiation exceeded 5.5 °C only in the group D samples.

CONCLUSIONS:

This ex vivo study, based on temperature recording, SEM observation, and EDS analysis, demonstrated that Nd:YAP laser at a PD of 356 W/cm2, corresponding to an average power of 1.4 W, defines the best treatment for dentine hypersensitivity in terms of compromise between efficacy of the treatment and safety of the pulp.

• Authors: Carlo Fornaini, Nathalie Brulat-Bouchard, Etienne Medioni, Shiying Zhang, Jean-Paul Rocca, Elisabetta Merigo
• Journal: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology (J Photochem Photobiol B) Vol. 203 Pg. 111740 (Jan 2020) ISSN: 1873-2682 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 31887638 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Dentin (physiology, radiation effects)
• Dentin Sensitivity (radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Lasers, Solid-State (therapeutic use)
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
• Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
• Temperature