None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will investigate how different laser power settings can reduce tooth sensitivity that often occurs after deep dental cleaning for gum disease. People with advanced gum disease (periodontitis) who feel sharp pain in their teeth after treatment will take part. The study compares three Er,Cr:YSGG laser settings (0.25 W, 0.5 W, and a combined 0.25 + 0.5 W) with a placebo treatment. Each patient will receive all treatments in different parts of the mouth, and both the patient and the examiner will not know which setting is used. The main hypothesis is that laser therapy, especially the combined setting, will reduce tooth sensitivity more effectively and for a longer time than the other methods. The results may help identify a safe and effective laser protocol to relieve tooth sensitivity after gum treatment.
Interventions
Arm 1 – High-power laser group (Er,Cr:YSGG 0.75 W)
Brief name: High-power Er,Cr:YSGG laser desensitization therapy.
Description: Participants in this group will receive Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment (WaterLase iPlus™, Biolase Technology Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) at 0.75 W, 20 Hz, pulse duration 140 µs, with 11% air and 7% water, using an MZ8 tip (800 µm diameter). The laser will be applied in non-contact mode (1 mm distance) for 30 seconds per tooth, moving continuously over the exposed root surface i
Arm 1 – High-power laser group (Er,Cr:YSGG 0.75 W) Brief name: High-power Er,Cr:YSGG laser desensitization therapy. Description: Participants in this group will receive Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment (WaterLase iPlus™, Biolase Technology Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) at 0.75 W, 20 Hz, pulse duration 140 µs, with 11% air and 7% water, using an MZ8 tip (800 µm diameter). The laser will be applied in non-contact mode (1 mm distance) for 30 seconds per tooth, moving continuously over the exposed root surface in a sweeping motion. The procedure will be performed once, immediately after non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing). All procedures will be delivered face-to-face by an experienced periodontist (greater than 5 years clinical experience) in the Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Trakya University (Edirne, Türkiye). Arm 2 – Low-power laser group (Er,Cr:YSGG 0.25 W) Brief name: Low-power Er,Cr:YSGG laser desensitization therapy. Description: The same device and parameters will be used as in Arm 1, except the output power will be 0.25 W. Laser frequency (20 Hz), pulse duration (140 µs), and air/water ratio (11% air, 7% water) will remain constant. The laser will be applied in non-contact mode (1 mm distance) for 30 seconds per tooth. The operator, clinical setting, and standardization procedures are identical to Arm 1. Arm 3 – Combined laser group (Er,Cr:YSGG 0.25 W + 0.5 W sequential application) Brief name: Sequential low- and medium-power Er,Cr:YSGG laser desensitization therapy. Description: Participants in this group will receive two sequential Er,Cr:YSGG laser applications using the same device (WaterLase iPlus™, Biolase Technology Inc., Irvine, CA, USA). In the first session, the laser will be applied at 0.25 W, 20 Hz, pulse duration 140 µs for 10 seconds, using an MZ6 tip (660 µm diameter, 6 mm length) with 0% water and 10% air. After a 15-minute resting interval to minimize tissue fatigue, a second irradiation will be performed at 0.5 W, 20 Hz, pulse duration 140 µs, for 10 seconds under the same non-contact conditions (1 mm distance, perpendicular to dentin surface). Laser application will be performed according to international safety standards. Both the operator and participants will wear protective eyewear throughout the procedure. All interventions will be performed once, immediately following non-surgical periodontal therapy. The operator applying the laser will not participate in outcome assessment. Both participants and evaluators will remain blinded to treatment allocation. Additional methodological details • Mode of delivery: Face-to-face, individually performed clinical interventions. • Frequency: Single application session immediately after non-surgical periodontal therapy. • Fidelity monitoring: Laser log data and operator adherence checklists will be reviewed by an independent examiner. • Location: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Trakya University, Edirne, Türkiye.
Sponsors
Ece Açikgöz-Alparslan- Trakya University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
19 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Absence of dentin hypersensitivity before non-surgical periodontal therapy. 2. Presence of at least five teeth with probing pocket depth (PPD) equal to or greater than 6 mm. 3. Systemically healthy individuals with no known medical conditions affecting periodontal healing or pain perception. 4. The teeth selected for hypersensitivity evaluation must have no deep restorations, cracks, or fractures on adjacent teeth. 5. No prior treatment for dentin hypersensitivity and no use of desensitizing toothpaste within the past 4 weeks. 6. Diagnosis of Stage III or IV periodontitis, characterized by loss of periodontal support affecting more than 30% of teeth. 7. Clinical attachment level (CAL) equal to or greater than 5 mm and radiographic bone loss extending to the middle third of the root. 8. Aged 19 years or older. 9. Presence of at least 20 natural teeth, including at least one tooth per quadrant. 10. Following non-surgical periodontal therapy, teeth showing a VAS score greater than 4 and a Schiff sensitivity score of 2 or 3 on hypersensitivity evaluation will be included.
Exclusion criteria
1. Use of antibiotics, analgesics, or anti-inflammatory drugs during the study period. 2. Pregnancy or lactation. 3. History of periodontal treatment within the last 6 months. 4. Current smokers or tobacco users. 5. Use of desensitizing toothpaste within the past 4 weeks. 6. Presence of parafunctional habits such as bruxism or clenching. 7. Teeth presenting with non-carious cervical lesions, erosion, or attrition defects. 8. High dietary acid intake or frequent consumption of acidic beverages. 9. Failure to meet the post-treatment inclusion criteria of hypersensitivity evaluation (VAS equal to 4 or Schiff score less than 2 after non-surgical periodontal therapy). 10. Contraindications to Er,Cr:YSGG laser application, including allergy to local or topical anesthetics, cardiovascular conditions (e.g., pacemaker or implanted defibrillator), pulmonary disease, bleeding disorders, or immunodeficiency.
Outcome results
None listed