Nd:YAG laser and calcium sodium phosphosilicate prophylaxis paste in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: a double-blind randomized clinical study

Aim This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser and a calcium sodium phosphosilicate–containing paste (NovaMin®) in the treatment of cervical dentin hypersensitivity (CDH). Materials and methods Seventy patients were randomly allocated into the following experimental groups: control-placebo, calcium sodium phosphosilicate paste (NovaMin®), and Nd:YAG laser (1 W, 10 Hz, 85 J/cm 2 ). Pain was evaluated by means of a visual analog pain scale (VAS) after evaporative stimulation with a jet of air and tactile stimulation with an exploratory probe, before treatment (baseline) and after 5 min, 1week, and 4 weeks. When patients presented more than one tooth with CDH, the mean of the values obtained was calculated. Irradiation with Nd:YAG laser was performed twice in the mesial-distal and twice in the occlusal-gingival direction. The NovaMin®-containing paste was applied with a rubber cup at low speed for 60 s. Patients of the placebo group received simulations of the two treatments. As the data presented normal distribution, the two-way ANOVA repeated measures test was used. Results In all the experimental times, reduction in pain was demonstrated in comparison with baseline for all treatments ( p < 0.05); however, there was no difference among the experimental groups in any of the time intervals evaluated ( p > 0.05). Conclusion All treatments were equally effective in reducing the pain of CDH. Clinical relevance Nd:YAG laser irradiation and the calcium sodium phosphosilicate paste could reduce the symptoms of CDH; thus, they stand out as viable alternatives for the treatment of this condition.