LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CO2-LASER IRRADIATION ON TREATMENT OF HYPERSENSITIVE DENTAL NECKS - RESULTS OF AN IN-VIVO STUDY

Objective: The present in vivo study was performed to examine the long -term effects of combined CO2 laser treatment and fluoridation on hype rsensitive dental necks. Summary Background Data: Attempts have been m ade to treat dental hypersensitivity by sealing exposed dentinal tubul es, primarily using fluoride preparations, strontium chloride, and hyd roxyapatite. However, these treatment methods have the disadvantage th at the preparation is effective only for a limited period of time and must be applied repeatedly, at short intervals, The CO2 laser has been shown to have an excellent sealing effect on hypersensitive dentinal surfaces, Methods: Test subjects suffering from dentinal hypersensitiv ity were recruited from the patients of the Department of Conservative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of the University of Vienna, Austria a nd treated with combined laser irradiation and fluoridation with stann ous fluoride gel. The patients mere followed up for a period of 18 mon ths. In vivo examinations were supplemented by atomic absorption spect roscopy (AAS) of tiny dentin samples obtained from the dental necks 6 weeks and 18 months after laser treatment and by scanning electron mic roscopy (SEM), Results: Compared to conventional fluoridation, combine d laser irradiation and fluoridation was shown to be effective in the treatment of hypersensitive dental necks. When success was defined as complete freedom from pain, the success rate in the laser group was 96 .5 %, Furthermore, examinations of irradiated teeth under the scanning electron microscope still revealed complete closure of the dentinal t ubules four and six months after laser treatment. AAS showed that tin was present in the samples, which indicates that combined laser treatm ent and fluoridation result in permanent integration of fluoride in th e dentin surface. Conclusions: Based on these results, the CO2 laser c an be recommended as an ideal tool for desensitization of dental necks .