Effects of CO 2 laser in treatment of cervical dentinal hypersensitivity

Abstract

The effectiveness of CO 2 laser therapy in the reduction and elimination of dentinal hypersensitivity in vivo and its thermal effects on tooth surfaces in vitro were investigated. Twenty-three patients with 91 sensitive teeth participated in this study and were followed for 3 months. The parameters used with CO 2 laser were 1 W in a continuous wave mode and irradiation time ranging from 5 to 10 s. Hypersensitivity was assessed by thermal stimulus (a blast of air from a dental syringe). Thermal effects were measured by thermography using 10 extracted human teeth. After laser treatment, all patients were immediately free from sensitive pain. Over 3 months, the CO 2 laser treatment reduced dentinal hypersensitivity to air stimulus by 50%. All teeth remained vital with no adverse effects. Thermography revealed no temperature increase on irradiated tooth surfaces subjected to water coolant. These results show that the CO 2 laser is useful in the treatment of cervical dentinal hypersensitivity without thermal damage to pulp. Copyright © 1998 by The American Association of Endodontists.