subject: Using Lllt To Treat Hypersensitivity [print this page] Low level laser therapy in dentistry has been used to treat a variety of conditions since the 1960s. One of its more recent applications has been in treating dentin hypersensitivity. This condition causes the nerves inside the dentin of the patients teeth to become exposed. In some cases this only leads to irritation, but in others this can lead to a severe shooting pain that can make it difficult to function. There are multiple causes to this problem, but very few solutions that offer permanent relief.
Recently is has been discovered that LLLT therapy can provide some relief for those who are suffering from dentinal hypersensitivity. While the placement of composites in the tubes of the teeth can help block the sensitive nature of these nerves temporarily, they do not manage to do so in the long term. Dental lasers have been used to treat the nerves themselves with promising results. In many cases one dose of LLLT treatment was enough to cure common dentinal hypersensitivity. Repeated treatments to the tooth neck have been used to treat extreme cases. In both cases, patients reported their sensitivity had been eliminated after their treatments.
Treatment for hypersensitivity Sigma D-lasers have been applied to randomized patients in multiple tooth groups. Studies using placebo lasers were also performed to eliminate the chances that patients were laboring under the illusion of a placebo effect when they were treated. The mean results in most placebo groups were undefinable, but most patients treated with the LLLT laser saw an elimination of their discomfort within 7 days of their treatment. A variation in joules was used to help determine the proper dosing for LLLT treatment, but there did not appear to be much of a difference in the results for each group.
As with any type of dental treatment, results were carefully scrutinized to determine potential side effects which could be harmful to the patient. Lasers in dentistry were not shown to irritate the pulp around the teeth or cause damage to the soft tissue within the week after the treatment was administered. Patients did not appear to have trouble receiving the treatment, nor did they show any discomfort during the procedure. Patients did not see any discoloring or staining on their teeth. With these results in hand it stands to reason that LLLT could be used as a permanent treatment for hypersensitivity.
Sources: www.clinicallasers.com or www.crystalmedical.co.uk For a complete range of laser and LLLT equipment delivered worldwide.
