Intrapulpal thermal variation in standalone and dentifrice-assisted laser desensitisation at two time intervals

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) affects a significant number of patients. Various therapeutic options have been devised to alleviate pain, including lasers, for achieving dentinal tubule occlusion. This research aimed to compare the intrapulpal temperature rise during a laser irradiation procedure for desensitisation, using laser alone and laser in combination with a dentifrice.

Nineteen molar tooth samples were taken, which were sectioned 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Intrapulpal temperature changes were recorded using a K-type thermocouple, which was connected to a multiplexer and data logger for real-time temperature measurement at time intervals of 15 and 30 s, under stimulated pulpal microcirculation. Experiment protocols were categorised based on whether the laser was used alone (control group) or in conjunction with the dentifrice. They were further divided into two subgroups based on the duration of laser irradiation, utilising a diode laser (940 nm wavelength, 1 W power, defocused mode). The collected data were analysed to compare intrapulpal temperature changes between laser alone and laser combined with dentifrice application at both time intervals.

All the analysis was done using SPSS 26. There was a significant main effect of duration (p < 0.001), indicating a substantial change between 15 and 30 s. A significant main effect of laser irradiation was also observed (p < 0.001), suggesting a large difference between the laser irradiation with or without dentifrice. No significant interaction was seen between duration and laser irradiation (p = 0.062).

The use of dentifrice in conjunction with laser irradiation resulted in less temperature rise compared to laser irradiation alone. However, exposure duration played a critical role in determining temperature variations.