Clinical efficacy of the Er:YAG laser treatment on hypersensitive dentin

Dentin hypersensitivity is a common symptomatic condition that causes discomfort and sometimes severe pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment on cervically exposed hypersensitive dentin. Twenty patients with dentin hypersensitivity of caries-free teeth were selected. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure dentin sensitivity in response to air stimulus. A 2-minute Er:YAG laser (energy level: 60 mJ/pulse; repetition rate: 2 Hz) was applied to cervically exposed hypersensitive dentin. After 4 weeks, the hypersensitive teeth were examined again, and the VAS score was measured again and recorded. No complications such as detrimental pulpal effects were observed. Eighteen participants reported significantly reduced dentin hypersensitivity 4 weeks after the laser desensitization treatment. The VAS scores measured 4 weeks after the Er:YAG laser desensitization treatment were significantly decreased as compared with those measured at the baseline (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the Er:YAG laser desensitization treatment can effectively reduce hypersensitivity of cervically exposed hypersensitive dentin.