Treatment of dentin hypersensitivity by Nd:YAG laser

Background, aims: Promising results using Nd:YAG laser against dentin hypersensitivity have been reported. The aim of this double‐blind, controlled, split‐mouth designed clinical trial was to assess the effect of a single Nd:YAG laser application on alleviating hypersensitivity. Methods/Results: Seventeen subjects participated in the study. Each of them had two teeth treated; one with the laser activated and one with nonactivated (placebo), for 2 min The assessment of pain was performed by a VAS, after an air blast at baseline immediately after treatment, at 1 week, 4 weeks and 16 weeks. Mean values of VAS for test and control teeth were compared by paired t‐test (α = 0.05). The results showed mean baseline VAS values of 6.59 (± 1.65) and 6.14(± 1.95) for test and control teeth, respectively. Immediately after treatment, these values decreased to 4.09(± 2.28) and 3.89(± 2.11), respectively. After 1 week, 4 weeks and 16 weeks the mean values for test and control teeth were 3.85 ± 2.36, 4.03 ± 1.95, 3.60 ± 2.66, and 4.44 ± 2.56, 3.41 ± 2.30, 3.42 ± 2.30, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between test and control at any time. However, both groups improved significantly (P