Introduction: The effectiveness of laser treatment in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is controversial, with important concerns related to the high efficacy of placebo laser. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate literature regarding the effectiveness of laser therapy compared with placebo laser therapy. The secondary aim was to survey the literature regarding laser treatment safety.
Methods: An exhaustive literature search with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria was performed with electronic databases and by hand. The goal was to identify all randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials that have assessed the effectiveness of DH reduction compared with placebo laser.
Results: Only 3 randomized clinical trials were retrieved. These studies supported that laser treatment could reduce DH, but the reduction was not significant compared with placebo laser treatment. No side effects, adverse reactions, or pulp damage were reported at the energy and power settings used.
Conclusions: Laser therapy can reduce DH-related pain, but the evidence for its effectiveness is weak, and the possibility of a placebo effect must be considered.
Copyright © 2011 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.