Comparative Efficacy of Diode, Nd:YAG and Er:YAG Lasers Accompanied by Fluoride in Dentinal Tubule Obstruction

Recently, the management of dentin hypersensitivity by lasers has gained special attention. This study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of the 980 nm diode, Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers accompanied by fluoride in dentinal tubule obstruction.

Twenty sound single-rooted human teeth were used for this invitro study. Forty dentinal discs were prepared of the roots and etched with 6% citric acid. One layer of fluoride varnish was applied over their surface. The sections were randomly allocated into 4 groups. The control group received no laser irradiation. Group 2 underwent 980 nm diode laser irradiation with 0.5 W power. Group 3 underwent Nd:YAG laser irradiation with 0.5 W power and group 4 underwent Er:YAG laser irradiation with 0.5 W power. All samples were then inspected under a scanning electron microscope, and the number of obstructed dentinal tubules and the diameter of open dentinal tubules in the field were determined. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used for data analysis at a significance level of 0.05.

All three laser types decreased the number of open dentinal tubules significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noted in dentinal tubule obstruction between the three laser groups (P > 0.05). The diameter of open tubules in the three laser groups did not show a significant difference from that in the control group.

All three types of lasers evaluated in this study can effectively obstruct the dentinal tubules.