Clinical Evaluation of Er:YAG, Nd:YAG, and Diode Laser Therapy for Desensitization of Teeth with Gingival Recession

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three types of lasers, Er:YAG, Nd:YAG, and GaAlAs (Diode), as dentin desensitizers, as well as to determine both the immediate and late therapeutic effects on teeth with gingival recessions. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 24 patients with 96 teeth with Miller's class I or class II gingival recessions with clinically elicitable dentin hypersensitivity (DH) divided into three test groups: (A) Er: YAG, 2,940 nm, 60 mJ/pulse, 2 Hz, 20 s; (B) Nd: YAG, 1,064 nm, 100mJ/pulse, 15 Hz, 100 s, (C) diode; 808 nm, 100mW, 20s; and one control group (d) control not irradiated. DH was assessed by means of air stimulus. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure DH. The selected teeth in three groups received laser therapy for three sessions. The measurements were performed before each treatment session and at 30 min after the laser application (immediate effect), and additional measurements were also performed at 15, 30, and 60 days after the conclusion of treatment (late effect) to assess the extent of desensitization obtained with the different laser devices. Results: Significant reduction of DH occurred at all times measured during the three treatment sessions in groups treated with Er: YAG, Nd: YAG, and diode lasers. Comparing the means of the responses in the three treatment sessions of the four groups, Group b showed a higher degree of desensitization in teeth with gingival recession compared with the other groups (p < 0.001). The immediate and late therapeutic effects of group b were more evident compared with the other groups. Conclusions: The Er: YAG, Nd: YAG, and diode lasers can be used to reduce DH. Nd: YAG laser irradiation is more effective in the treatment of DH than are Er: YAG and diode laser. Within the limitations of the present study, the Nd: YAG laser seems to be a suitable tool for successful reduction of DH, especially because the 3-month results of this treatment modality are promising.