Diode Laser Versus Potassium Oxalate Gel in Dentinal Hypersensitivity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Diode Laser and Potassium oxalate gel for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity in subjects between 20-60 years of age.

Materials and Methods: A single-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted in the outpatient department of Periodontology at a tertiary dental care centre. Subjects between 20-60 years of age diagnosed with dentine hypersensitivity were recruited. This study was conducted on bilateral sites of the maxillary and mandibular anterior region in 15 subjects having hypersensitivity in that region. Site A was treated with a diode laser, and Site B with a potassium oxalate gel. The procedure was repeated for both groups after 1 week, following the same criteria and methods. For primary outcomes, the Visual Analogue Scale was used following air blast and cold stimuli and was recorded at baseline, 1st week, 2nd week, and 1 month.

Results: Both treatment modalities, Diode Laser and Potassium oxalate gel, led to a significant reduction in hypersensitivity at all time points. However, the Diode Laser led to significantly higher and more rapid reduction in hypersensitivity.

Conclusion: Diode laser is clinically more effective than potassium oxalate gel in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.