Background: Dentin sensitivity (DS) or dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is one of the most commonly encountered clinical problems. It is clinically described as an exaggerated response to application of a stimulus to exposed dentin, regardless of its location.[1,2] It’s a painful condition with incidence ranging from 4% to 74%[3,4], occurring higher in females with an age range between 20-40 years. Buccal aspect of cervical area of canines and premolars are most commonly affected. There are various treatment modalities among which Dentin Bonding Agent and lasers are commonly used. The newer bonding agents modify the smear layer and incorporate it in, into the hybrid layer. The laser interaction with the dental pulp causes a photo bio- modulating effect, obliterating the dentinal tubules with the intensification of tertiary dentin production. Aim: To compare the clinical efficacy of diode laser and seventh generation dentin bonding agent on dentinal hypersensitivity. Materials and Methods: In a split mouth study, 40 subjects having a complaint of hypersensitivity and having either abrasion, abfraction or gingival recession were randomly allocated into the Diode Laser group 810nmand Seventh generation dentin bonding agent group. Visual Analogue Scale (Woodforde JM and Merskey H, 1972 ) and Verbal Rating Scale(Uchida et al 1980) of each subject were recorded at baseline, immediately, 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Statistical analysis: Intergroup data was analysed was done using Mann Whitney U test, except for Scratch test which was compared using Independent ‘t’ test. Results: Intergroup comparison of the two treatment modalities revealed a statistically significant improvement in the clinical parameters for both groups at immediately, 1 month and 3 months. There were reductions in the Visual Analogue Scale and Verbal Rating Scale scores and increase in the scratchometer scores which were statistically significant (P≤0.05). Conclusions: Application of 810nm diode laser and seventh generation dentin bonding agent, both are effective treatment strategies in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. However at 3 months diode laser therapy proved more efficacious than dentin bonding agent.
