Clinical Evaluation of Nd:YAG and 685-nm Diode Laser Therapy for Desensitization of Teeth with Gingival Recession

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two types of lasers, the Nd:YAG laser and the 685-nm diode laser, as dentin desensitizers as well as both the immediate and late therapeutic effects on teeth with gingival recession. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 56 teeth in 14 patients with Miller's class 1 and 2 gingival recession with clinically elicitable dentin hypersensitivity (DH). The patients were divided into two groups: a Nd: YAG-laser-treated group and a 685-nm diode laser-treated group. DH was assessed by means of an air stimulus, and a visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure DH. The selected teeth in the two groups received laser therapy for three sessions. Teeth subjected to Nd: YAG-laser treatment were irradiated at 1 W and 10 Hz for 60 sec at 1064 nm, and those receiving 685-nm diode laser treatment were irradiated at 25 mW and 9 Hz for 100 sec. Results: Significant reductions in DH occurred at all time points measured during the three treatment sessions in both treatment groups. Comparing the means of the responses in the three treatment sessions for the two groups revealed that the Nd: YAG laser group had a higher degree of desensitization compared to the other group (p < 0.01). The immediate and late therapeutic effects of the Nd: YAG laser were more evident than those of the 685-nm diode laser. Conclusions: Both of these lasers can be used to reduce DH without adverse effects. Desensitization of teeth with gingival recession with the Nd: YAG laser was more effective than with the diode laser. The Nd: YAG laser appears to be a promising new tool for successfully reducing DH.