ABSTRACTObjective:The presentin vivostudy was performed to examine the long-term effects of combined CO2laser treatment and fluoridation on hypersensitive dental necks.Summary Background Data:Attempts have been made to treat dental hypersensitivity by sealing exposed dentinal tubules, primarily using fluoride preparations, strontium chloride, and hydroxyapatite. However, these treatment methods have the disadvantage that the preparation is effective only for a limited period of time and must be applied repeatedly, at short intervals. The CO2laser has been shown to have an excellent sealing effect on hypersensitive dentinal surfaces.Methods:Test subjects suffering from dentinal hypersensitivity were recruited from the patients of the Department of Conservative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of the University of Vienna, Austria and treated with combined laser irradiation and fluoridation with stannous fluoride gel. The patients were followed up for a period of 18 months.In vivoexaminations were supplemented by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of tiny dentin samples obtained from the dental necks 6 weeks and 18 months after laser treatment and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results:Compared to conventional fluoridation, combined 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 tubules four and six months after laser treatment. AAS showed that tin was present in the samples, which indicates that combined laser treatment and fluoridation result in permanent integration of fluoride in the dentin surface.Conclusions:Based on these results, the CO2laser can be recommended as an ideal tool for desensitization of dental necks.
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