Clinical evaluation of a 3% potassium oxalate gel and a GaAlAs laser for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity

• Published in: Photomedicine and laser surgery Vol. 27; no. 5; p. 807
• Main Authors: Vieira, Alessandra Helen Magacho, Passos, Vanara Florêncio, de Assis, Jorgiana Silva, Mendonça, Juliano Sartori, Santiago, Sérgio Lima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-2009
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biomedical and Dental Materials - therapeutic use; Combined Modality Therapy; Dentin Sensitivity - therapy; Female; Gels; Humans; Lasers, Semiconductor; Low-Level Light Therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates - therapeutic use; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1557-8550
• DOI: 10.1089/pho.2008.2364

This study evaluated the immediate and 3 month clinical effects of a low-level gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser and a 3% potassium oxalate gel for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.
A total of 164 teeth from 30 patients with clinical diagnoses of dentinal hypersensitivity were selected for this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study. The teeth were randomized to three groups: GaAlAs laser, oxalate gel, and placebo gel. The treatment sessions were performed at 7 d intervals for four consecutive weeks. The degree of sensitivity in response to an air blast and tactile stimuli was assessed according to a visual analogue scale at baseline, immediately after the fourth application, and then 3 months after the fourth application. The reductions in dentinal hypersensitivity from baseline at the two follow-up assessments were evaluated as the main outcome.
In both the active and control groups, there were statistically significant reductions in dentinal hypersensitivity immediately after and 3 months after the treatments, when compared with the hypersensitivity at baseline. No significant differences among the three groups could be detected in their efficacy at either the immediate or 3 month evaluations irrespective of the stimulus.
The treatments under study were effective for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity, and longer observational periods could enhance the ability of studies to detect differences between active and placebo groups.