Comparative evaluation of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser with nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite dentifrices and herbal dentifrices in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the efficacy of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser with and without herbal and nanohydroxyapatite dentifrices in management of dentinal hypersensitivity (DH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 180 patients who responded to air-blast test and cold-water test using verbal rating scale (VRS) were included in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 30): control group (CG), scaling and root planning (SRP) + nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite dentifrices, SRP + nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite dentifrices + laser, SRP + herbal dentifrices, SRP + herbal dentifrices + laser, and SRP + laser. Each group was evaluated at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months. In every visit of each patient, their clinical examination was done. RESULTS: Among all groups', repeated ANOVA measures and Kruskal-Wallis test was performed in which laser groups showed maximum reduction in DH in all indices while the CG showed minimum reduction in DH. The VRS values showed maximum reduction in SRP + nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite dentifrices + laser group with mean of 0.3 ± 0.5 and minimum reduction in CG with mean of 3.0 ± 0.5 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among all the groups, SRP + Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite + Laser can be an effective treatment modality for DH.