Lasers

Four different kinds of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (lasers) have been used for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity with effectiveness ranging from 5.2 to 100%, depending on the laser type and parameters used.⁸⁴ The most common are: Nd-YAG (neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet), GaAIas (gallium/aluminum/arsenide) and Erbium-YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) lasers.^85-88 The mechanism of action of lasers in treating hypersensitivity is not very clear, but it has been proposed that the lasers coagulate the proteins inside the tubules and block the movement of fluid.

A 2011 systematic review of lasers for the treatment of sensitivity found only 3 randomized clinical trials for inclusion. The authors concluded that laser therapy can reduce dentinal hypersensitivity-related pain, but there is only weak evidence for its effectiveness and the placebo effect has to be taken into account.⁸⁹