Is the treatment with Er,Cr:YSGG laser reducing Dentin Hypersensitivity? A prospective clinical intervention study

Objectives To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser therapy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Methods A prospective single-arm clinical intervention study was conducted between June 2023 and June 2024. Thirty-six patients presenting with dentin hypersensitivity, comprising a total of 82 sensitive teeth, were treated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation. Dentin sensitivity was assessed using tactile stimulation with a Yeaple Probe and thermal stimulation with an air blast. Pain intensity was recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and mechanical sensitivity was measured using Yeaple Probe scores at baseline, 30 minutes, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment. Results A significant reduction in dentin hypersensitivity was observed following Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment. VAS scores during air stimulation decreased by approximately 58% immediately after treatment (T1), with further reductions noted at 1 week (T2) and 1 month (T3) compared with baseline (p < 0.01). Mechanical sensitivity, assessed by Yeaple Probe scores, showed a significant improvement of approximately 80% immediately after treatment, with continued increases at subsequent follow-up time points. Overall, a 75.6% reduction in VAS scores and a 144.6% increase in Yeaple Probe scores were observed over the study period. No statistically significant differences were detected in treatment outcomes according to gender or age groups at any follow-up time point (p > 0.05). Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy demonstrated a significant short-term reduction in dentin hypersensitivity, as assessed by both subjective pain perception and objective mechanical sensitivity measurements, with effects maintained for up to one month. Treatment outcomes appeared consistent across different age and gender groups. Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to confirm these findings.