Comparative Efficacy of Laser Systems and Fluoride in Managing Dentinal Hypersensitivity: RCT (DHLT)

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Dentin Sensitivity, Dentine Hypersensitivity, Tooth Sensitivity

Treatments: Other: Diode laser (650 nm): Visible red light energy; Drug: Fluoride varnish; Other: Erbium laser (2940 nm): Infrared light energy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07141576

CairoU-Laser Hypersensitivity

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Erbium laser (2940 nm), Diode laser (650 nm), combination Diode laser with fluoride varnish, and fluoride varnish alone in treating dentinal hypersensitivity. The study will recruit 96 adults aged 18-45 years with tooth sensitivity scores ≥4 on a 0-10 Visual Analogue Scale, randomly allocating 24 participants to each of four treatment groups. The primary outcome is reduction in tooth sensitivity measured at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months post-treatment, with patient satisfaction as a secondary outcome. Conducted at Cairo University's Faculty of Dentistry, this 6-month follow-up study addresses the limitation of current treatments that provide only temporary relief, seeking to establish evidence-based protocols for optimal long-term management of dentinal hypersensitivity by evaluating whether laser therapies alone or in combination with fluoride offer superior and more durable pain relief compared to standard fluoride treatment alone.

Full description

This randomized controlled clinical trial investigates the comparative efficacy of different laser systems and fluoride-based treatments for managing dentinal hypersensitivity, a prevalent clinical condition characterized by sharp, transient pain from exposed dentin in response to thermal, evaporative, tactile, or chemical stimuli. The study will recruit 96 participants aged 18-45 years with dentinal hypersensitivity scores ≥4 on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), randomly allocating them into four equal groups (n=24 each): Group 1 receiving Erbium:YAG laser treatment (2940 nm, 80mJ, 2Hz) which works through thermal tubule occlusion; Group 2 receiving Diode laser photobiomodulation therapy (650 nm, 100mW, 2J total dose) targeting neural modulation; Group 3 receiving combination therapy of Diode laser with 5% sodium fluoride varnish to exploit synergistic mechanisms; and Group 4 receiving fluoride varnish alone as the control comparator. The primary outcome measures dentinal hypersensitivity reduction using VAS scores (0-10 scale) assessed through standardized evaporative stimulus tests at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months post-treatment, while secondary outcomes include patient satisfaction and treatment tolerability. Conducted at the Conservative Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, with blinded outcome assessors and standardized protocols, this superiority trial addresses the clinical need for evidence-based, long-term effective treatments for dentinal hypersensitivity by comparing individual laser modalities against combination therapy and established fluoride treatments, potentially establishing optimal therapeutic protocols that provide both immediate relief and sustained tubule occlusion or neural modulation for improved patient quality of life.

Enrollment: 96 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults aged 18-45 years
• Both sexes eligible
• Good general health status
• At least one tooth with cervical dentin hypersensitivity (CDH)
• Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score ≥ 4 on evaporative stimulus test using dental syringe air jet
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Active carious lesions or defective restorations requiring treatment
• Loss of dental tissue requiring restorative treatment
• Previous professional desensitizing treatment within 6 months prior to recruitment
• Use of desensitizing toothpastes within 3 months prior to study
• Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics at time of recruitment
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Inability to comply with study protocol or follow-up requirements

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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96 participants in 4 patient groups

Erbium Laser

Experimental group

Description:

Erbium:YAG laser (2940 nm) treatment alone using thermal ablation to seal dentinal tubules and reduce hypersensitivity.

Treatment:

Drug: Fluoride varnish

Other: Diode laser (650 nm): Visible red light energy

Diode Laser

Experimental group

Description:

Diode laser (650 nm) photobiomodulation therapy alone targeting neural modulation to reduce pain transmission.

Treatment:

Other: Erbium laser (2940 nm): Infrared light energy

Drug: Fluoride varnish

Combination Therapy

Experimental group

Description:

Diode laser (650 nm) followed immediately by fluoride varnish application combining neural modulation with tubule occlusion.

Treatment:

Other: Erbium laser (2940 nm): Infrared light energy

Drug: Fluoride varnish

Other: Diode laser (650 nm): Visible red light energy

Fluoride Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

5% sodium fluoride varnish alone serving as active control, promoting remineralization and tubule occlusion through standard treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Erbium laser (2940 nm): Infrared light energy

Other: Diode laser (650 nm): Visible red light energy