Effect of low-level laser therapy on tooth sensitivity induced by in-office bleaching

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on tooth sensitivity induced by in-office bleaching. Sixty-six patients enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. Following the in-office procedure with 40% hydrogen peroxide, the participants were randomly divided into three groups. The patients in group 1 received irradiation from a low-level red laser (LLRL; 660 nm, 200 mW, 15 s, 12 J/cm(2)), whereas participants in group 2 were subjected to a low-level infrared laser (LLIL; 810 nm) under similar conditions as in group 1. In group 3 (placebo), the laser treatment was the same as that in groups 1 and 2, but without energy output. The degree of tooth sensitivity was recorded at 1, 24, and 48 h after bleaching using a visual analog scale (VAS). The change in tooth shade was measured 30 days after tooth whitening. The intensity of tooth sensitivity was not significantly different between groups at 1 h after bleaching (p > 0.05). At 24 h after therapy, pain level was significantly lower in the LLIL group compared to the LLRL and placebo groups (p < 0.05). At 48 h after bleaching, VAS scores in the LLIL and LLRL groups were comparable to each other (p > 0.05) and both were significantly lower than that of the placebo group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the efficacy of tooth whitening among groups (p > 0.05). LLLT with an infrared diode laser could be recommended as a suitable strategy to reduce the intensity of tooth sensitivity after in-office bleaching.

Vital laser‐activated teeth bleaching and postoperative sensitivity: A systematic review

“…Sensitivity was lower in the groups that adopted a laser diode‐activated bleaching technique . Low‐level red laser treatment showed significantly lower sensitivity after 48 hours . Activation with LED/Laser resulted in postoperative sensitivity in 53% of patients against 26% of patients treated without activation.…”

“…The color change was more marked for patients undergoing light‐activated bleaching independently of the bleaching agent . The LED/laser‐activated bleaching was significantly efficient in the first session.…”

“…Details of the excluded full text articles are given in Table Thus, a total of 12 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria . Figure shows the search flowchart.…”

“…Postoperative sensitivity, even transient, is a common side‐effect occurring regardless of the bleaching technique and activation used …”

Effect of low‐level laser therapy combined with 5000 parts per million fluoride dentifrice on postbleaching sensitivity: A clinical, randomized, and double‐blind study

“…The action of LLLT is based on the stimulation of photoreceptors, which, in turn, are able to absorb photons of certain wavelengths, leading to changes in the functional and metabolic activity of cells . In addition, low‐level laser radiation is a monochromatic, highly focused, and coherent light beam that can promote photochemical, analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, and intense biostimulant actions . Combined with the laser's preventive effect, sodium fluoride acts to form a calcifying barrier, blocking opened dentinal tubules after bleaching through a process of mineralization and, consequently, decreasing pain susceptibility, thus justifying the results of this study.…”