UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA
“JÚLIO DE MESQUITA FILHO”
Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia
Campus de São José dos Campos
ORIGINAL ARTICLE DOI: https://doi.org/10.4322/bds.2025.e4478
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the
association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized
split-mouth clinical trial
Eficácia do verniz de fluoreto, terapia com laser de baixa intensidade e terapia associada na hipersensibilidade dentinária: um
ensaio clínico randomizado de boca dividida
Ana Carolina Barbosa Nascimento da SILVA1 , Aline Kataki PAIXÃO, Camilla Magnoni Moretto NUNES2 ,
Tainá Ribeiro de Moraes1 , Letícia Cavassini TORQUATO3 , Taciana Marco Ferraz CANEPPELE4 , Ivan BALDUCCI5♱, Dimas
Renó de LIMA5 , Andréa Carvalho de MARCO2
1 - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
2 - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Departamento de Diagnóstico e Cirurgia, Disciplina de Periodontia.
São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
3 - Faculdade Santo Antônio, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Caçapava, SP, Brazil.
4 - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Departamento de Odontologia Restauradora. São José dos Campos,
SP, Brazil.
5 - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Departamento de Odontologia Social e Clínica Infantil. São José dos
Campos, SP, Brazil.
♱ - in memoriam
How to cite: Silva ACBN, Paixão AK, Nunes CMM, Moraes TR, Torquato LC, Caneppele TMF et al. Efcacy of uoride varnish, low-
level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial. Braz Dent Sci.
2025;28(1):e4478. https://doi.org/10.4322/bds.2025.e4478
ABSTRACT
Objective: The present study aimed to compare the efcacy of 5% sodium uoride varnish, LLLT, and the association
of uoride varnish with LLLT in dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Material and Methods: Fifteen patients meet
the inclusion criteria. Sixty selected teeth were distributed among the groups through a randomized allocation
sequence and received a single application of therapies in the split-mouth scheme: 5% uoride varnish (F Gr),
780 nm GaAlAs laser (LLLT Gr) - dose of 52.5 J / cm2 (70 mW and 30 seconds) or 2.1 J per point, for 6 seconds
in 5 points of application per tooth, the association of both (F + LLLT Gr) and control group (C Gr). The visual
analog scale (VAS: 0-10) was used to record dentin hypersensitivity. The results were evaluated at baseline, 24
hours, 30-, 90-, and 180-days periods. The data were analyzed with Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α=0.05).
Results: The therapeutic modalities, uor varnish, low-level laser therapy, and association of both demonstrated
signicant reduction of DH from baseline to 30-, 90-, and 180-days. Conclusion: The therapeutic modality that was
most effective in reducing DH and sustaining the reduction was the association of 5% uoride varnish with LLLT.
KEYWORDS
Controlled clinical trial; Dentin sensitivity; Evaluation of efcacy of interventions; Low power laser therapy;
Sodium uoride.
RESUMO
Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar a ecácia do verniz de uoreto de sódio a 5%, da LLLT
isolada e da associação do verniz de uoreto com a LLLT no tratamento da DH. Material e Métodos: Quinze
pacientes preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Sessenta dentes selecionados foram distribuídos entre os grupos
através de uma sequência de alocação aleatória e receberam uma única aplicação das terapias no desenho de
boca dividida: verniz uoretado a 5% (Gr F), laser GaAlAs 780 nm (Gr LLLT) - dose de 52,5 J / cm2 (70 mW e
30 segundos) ou 2,1 J por ponto, durante 6 segundos em 5 pontos de aplicação por elemento, a associação de
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
baixa intensidade; Fluoreto de sódio.
INTRODUCTION
Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is characterized
by an acute and momentary painful sensation, its
etiology is multifactorial, and several theories
seek to explain the mechanism of pain, which can
be triggered by chemical, thermal, evaporative,
tactile, or osmotic stimuli when applied to
exposed dentin [1-5].
Currently, the most accepted, the hydrody-
namic theory of Braennstroem [6], states that
the protoplasmic uids move quickly inside the
dentinal tubules when they suffer external stimuli
the movement followed by capillarity, deforms the
nerve endings of myelinated type A bers that are
found in the pulp, invade the initial portion of the
dentinal tubule, generating a nervous impulse of
rapid and intense response. Therefore, the ability
to block the dentinal tubules, reduce uid move-
ment in the dentinal tubules, and/or block the
pulpal nerve are considered among the needs of
optimal treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity [7].
To reduce painful symptoms, investments
were made in means to treat this injury, such
as changes in diet, avoiding the consumption
of acidic foods, re-education of oral hygiene
with the removal of aggressive brushing, use of
desensitizing chemicals, and treatment with low-
level laser therapy [1,8-12].
Fluorides are the leading chemical materials
used for the treatment of HD the difference is
in the uorine salt and in the presentation in
different forms and concentrations, in which
varnishes, due to their higher concentration,
are elected as the most used material for the
treatment. This product causes the formation of
calcium uoride in the opening of the dentinal
tubules. This product causes the formation of
calcium uoride in the opening of the dentinal
tubules, sealing of its opening exposed to the oral
cavity [8,13,14]. The literature points to good
long-term results in reducing painful symptoms
with chemical desensitizers, such as uoride, in
the sealing of dentinal canaliculi. Although some
products have a high solubility in oral uids as
a disadvantage, it is possible to reverse it by
continuous use [8,13].
Another therapeutic possibility for the
treatment of DH can be low-level laser therapy
(LLLT). Lasers are an innovative treatment
technology, low-intensity lasers, also called
therapeutic lasers, have anti-inammatory effects
and analgesic action. Its low wavelengths keep
the pulp temperature constant, stimulate blood
circulation and cell activity, and increase the
excitability threshold, resulting in immediate
analgesia by maintaining the resting potential
of the pulp’s nociceptive receptor membrane;
and a late analgesia, stimulating the increase
in the metabolic activity of odontoblasts that
produce tertiary dentin and promote the sealing
of canaliculi [2,15-19]. Studies have shown
satisfactory results in HD reduction when
applying different types of LLLT, alone or in
association with desensitizing agents [4,5,16-19].
Even with several dental treatments, the
literature is still scarce on the use of associated
techniques of dentinal desensitization, there is
no dened protocol for the treatment of DH, and
there is little information on the use of LLLT for
this type of treatment. Thus, this study aimed
to compare the efcacy of 5% sodium uoride
varnish, LLLT alone, and the association of
uoride varnish with LLLT in the treatment of DH.
ambos (Gr F + LLLT) e grupo controle (Gr C). A escala visual analógica (EVA: 0-10) foi utilizada para registar
a hipersensibilidade dentinária. Os resultados foram avaliados no período basal, 24 horas, 30, 90 e 180 dias
após a terapia instituída. Os dados foram analisados pelos testes de Friedman e de Kruskal-Wallis (α=0,05).
Resultados: As modalidades terapêuticas, verniz uoretado, laserterapia de baixa intensidade e a associação
de ambas, demonstraram redução signicativa da DH do período basal para os períodos de 30, 90 e 180 dias.
Conclusão: A modalidade terapêutica que foi capaz de reduzir a DH mais rapidamente e manter a estabilidade
dessa redução foi a associação do verniz uoretado a 5% associado ao LLLT.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE
Ensaio clínico controlado; Sensibilidade da dentina; Avaliação de ecácia de intervenções; Terapia com luz de
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Ethical aspects
The methodology of the present study
followed the norms and regulations of the
CONSORT STATEMENT 2010 [20] for
randomized clinical studies. The Committee for
Ethics in Research on Human Beings (CEPh) of
ICT-UNESP (2.127.016) approved this study is
registered in The Brazilian Registry of Clinical
Trials (ReBEC) under the number RBR-8yq5b8h.
Study design
This study was a randomized, triple-blind,
split-mouth, controlled clinical trial.
Study population
The population was composed of ICT-
UNESP ambulatory patients. Patients who t the
inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the
study. Each patient received a Free and Informed
Consent Form after an ample explanation of
the nature, risks, and benefits of the clinical
investigation. The inclusion criteria were: men
or women between 20 and 65 years of age
presenting good general and oral health; with
a healthy periodontium, without periodontitis
or gingivitis; teeth without caries, cracks,
fractures, or extensive restorations; teeth without
premature contact; patients who had understood
the study design; patients who had at least four
sensitive teeth, presenting a sensitive tooth in
each oral quadrant; and who had signed and
agreed to the Free and Informed Consent Form.
The exclusion criteria were: pregnant
or breastfeeding patients; participants in
other clinical trials; individuals treated for
hypersensitivity or using desensitizing products
within three months prior to the study; those
with a history of maxillofacial cancer in the
past five years; patients requiring systemic
infection treatment; chronic users of anti-
inammatory, analgesic, or psychotropic drugs;
individuals allergic or reactive to research
product components; those with parafunctional
habits, eating disorders, gastric or emotional
conditions linked to dentin sensitivity; patients
with severe medical or psychological conditions;
those with alcohol or drug intoxication; patients
with bleeding disorders or systemic conditions
predisposing to dentin sensitivity; individuals
with high consumption of acidic foods; those who
underwent periodontal surgery or orthodontic
treatment in the past three months; patients with
dental or periodontal pathologies, defects causing
pain (e.g., caries, brackets, extensive restorations),
abutment teeth, crowns, restorations in the test
area, or irreversible pulp inammation.
Sample size calculation
The optimal sample size was calculated and
estimated for a test power of 80% (alpha, type
I error = 5%) and an effect size of 35%. The
sample size obtained was fteen (15) individuals
in each of four (4) therapeutic modalities. The
program used was G*Power (version 3.1.9.2).
The calculation was performed according to
Prajapati et al. [21].
Selection of the elements for therapeutic
modalities.
Relative isolation was conducted for the saliva
to not interfere with the results. A brief burst of
air from a triple syringe, 3 mm away from the
sensitive tooth, was applied to the selected tooth
for one second, and a protective wax covered the
adjacent teeth. The pain response was analyzed
with the visual analog scale (VAS 0-10). The
subjects were instructed to use the VAS scale from
0 to 10, scoring themselves the perceived pain
after tooth stimulation. The most sensitive tooth
of each quadrant was selected as the study tooth.
After the initial therapy and the selection
of the most sensitive tooth of each quadrant, the
selected tooth of each quadrant received one of
the following therapeutic modalities: Control
Group (n=15): (C Gr); 5% Sodium fluoride
Group (n=15): (F Gr); Irradiated with Low-level
Laser Therapy Group (n=15): (LLLT Gr); 5%
Sodium uoride associated with Low-level Laser
Therapy Group (n=15): (F+LLLT Gr).
Randomization and allocation concealment
The randomization occurred as described:
first, each dental element selected received
a code. A sequence randomly generated by a
computer designates the therapeutic modalities:
Control Group (C Gr), 5% Sodium uoride (F Gr),
Irradiated with Low-level Laser Therapy Group
(LLLT Gr), and 5% Sodium uoride associated to
Low-level Laser Therapy Group (F+LLLT Gr), to
the selected tooth. This sequence was then put
in opaque sealed envelopes. In each envelope,
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
there were the dental elements of the individual
as well as the respective therapeutic modalities.
This step was performed so that the individual
responsible for recruiting the patients was blind
to the random sequence of type of treatment
each dental element received, the treatment, and
the collection of the VAS scale data. Besides the
allocation concealment, no patient was allowed to
know which elements were selected for ‘control’
and ‘test.’ The blinding and randomization
parameters were performed according to the
norms of the CONSORT statement 2010 [20].
Treatment protocol
An examinator performed a clinical
examination, which initially registered the primary
hypersensitivity using a visual analog scale (VAS:
0-10) to quantify the subjective pain felt by the
patient after the stimuli with the ice spray (Endo
Ice® - Maquira) on the tooth, at baseline.
Each patient received all four therapeutic
modalities according to randomization and
described in the envelope. The researcher
who performed treatments was informed of
randomized therapeutic modalities at the time
of treatment. Another researcher, blinded to the
therapeutic modalities registered hypersensitivity
using the VAS to quantify the subjective pain
felt by the patient after the stimuli with the ice
spray at baseline, and in intervals of 24 hours,
30 days, 90 days, and 180 days. The masking
of the patients was performed with a sleeping
mask under the laser goggles, thus making it
possible to simulate the application of another
treatment. In the Control Group (C Gr), distilled
water was applied with a micro brush to simulate
a treatment. The interventions and recording of
the VAS scale were always done by researchers
who did not participate in the evaluations.
The treatments were always conducted
in relative isolation and prior to prophylaxis,
only once, after the registration of the grades
on
baseline.
For the 5% Sodium uoride Group
(F Gr), Colgate Duraphat® uoride varnish was
used, and the chosen tooth was applied with a
micro brush type brush (KG Brush®).
The device used for the application of LLLT
was the GaAlAs (Gallium Aluminum Arsenide)
diode laser with a wavelength of 780 nanometers
(Twin Flex II Multifunctional System - MM
Optics® LTDA, São Carlos, Brazil), which was
used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
For each tooth, ve points received LLLT,
four points in the cervical region, and one point
corresponding to the root apex if the element
was single rooted if the tooth was multi-rooted,
the application points were also ve, three in the
cervical region, and two in the root apex region.
The dose was 52.5 J / cm2 (70 mW and 30
seconds) or 2.1 J per point, 6 seconds per point.
The device was only turned on during application.
The 5% Sodium fluoride associated with
the Low-level Laser Therapy Group received
the application of LLLT as previously described,
followed by an application of 5% Sodium uoride
aided by a micro brush (Brush KG Brush®).
Statistical analysis
The data obtained from the ‘VAS’ scale was
analyzed using the Friedman and the Kruskal-
Wallis’ tests, both adopting a signicance level of
5% using the SigmaPlot® 12.0 software (SYSTAT
SOFTWARE, 2011). The variable was patient-
dependent, and the assessment was paired.
RESULTS
Fifteen participants fullled the inclusion
criteria in this study. Sixty teeth were randomized
and allocated to the respective groups. One
participant did not attend the 90-day and 180-day
follow-ups, and another participant did not attend
the 180-day follow-up. Thus, an intention-to-treat
analysis was performed. A consort owchart of
the study can be observed in Figure 1.
The fteen patients included (13 women,
and 2 men) aged 21 to 65 years (mean 45.27±
14.81). According to gender and age, the Chi-
Square Pearson test did not reveal a signicant
difference between these parameters (p= 0.471).
To evaluate the effects of the treatments on the
experimental groups Kruskal-Wallis’ test was used
for the inter-group comparison (Table I, Figure 2),
and Friedman’s test was used for the intra-group
comparisons in the periods evaluated (Table II).
While comparing intergroups it was possible
to observe that there were no differences among
the groups during the evaluation period (p> 0.05).
In the intra-group comparison of the values
obtained in the VAS scale, it was observed that
only in the C group there were no differences
among the experimental periods.
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Figure 1 - Consort Flow Diagram.
Figure 2 - Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) Scores. Legend: Median VAS scores for different treatment time points.
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
The differences were observed in the other
experimental groups. In the F Group, there was a
difference while comparing the baseline and 180
days. In the LLLT Group, there was a difference
of baseline when compared to the period of 90-
and 180-days. In the F+LLLT Group, there was a
difference while comparing the baseline and the
periods of 30-, 90-, and 180-days.
DISCUSSION
This work aimed to compare the efcacy of
uoride varnish to treatment with low-level laser
therapy, and the association of both.
During the intra-group analysis, the three
treatment modalities, F Gr, LLLT Gr, and F+LLLT
Gr, presented a signicant reduction of DH at the
end of the study follow-up period (180 days),
despite that, the treatment modality that rst
demonstrated a reduction of the DH score was
the association of F+LLLT Gr in 30 days, which
agrees with Gojkov-Vukelic et al. [16], this
reduction remained signicant over the period of
90 days and 180 days, followed by the LLLT Gr
that showed signicant DH reduction in 90 days
and 180 days, the F Gr presented signicant DH
reduction in 180 days, meaning, in the last of
the study follow- up period, corroborating with
Jain et al. [17].
Given this information, one could presume
that in a clinical situation, when one expects short
and medium-term results regarding DH reduction
and stability, the most appropriate treatment
modality is the association of F+LLLT Gr.
In the intergroup analysis, there were no
signicant differences regarding the effects of
treatments according to experimental periods.
According to Figure 2, the F Gr showed
a more signicant DH reduction in 180 days,
despite that, during the intergroup analysis
(Table II), the three treatment modalities, F Gr,
LLLT Gr, and F+LLLT Gr present a reduction
in the VAS scale score in 180 days about the
baseline. Taking these aspects into consideration,
one can also suppose in a clinical situation
that the impossibility of using LLLT isolated or
associated with uoride varnish, the option for
treatment with 5% uoride varnish could lead to
a reduction of DH in 180 days.
Table I - VAS Scale. Median values of experimental groups -
intergroup evaluation
Group Median 25% 75% p value
C Gr Baseline 9 5 10
0.735
FGr Baseline 8 6 10
LLLT Gr Baseline 9 7 10
F+LLLT Gr Baseline 8 7 10
C Gr 1 day 8 5 8
0.979
F Gr 1 day 8 5 8
LLLT 1 day 8 5 9
F+LLLT 1 day 8 4 9
C 30 days 8 3 8
0.671
F 30 days 6 2 7
LLLT 30 days 6 5 8
F+LLLT 30 days 5 3 7
C 90 days 6 4 8
0.732
F 90 days 5 2 8
LLLT 90 days 5 2 8
F+LLLT 90 days 4 2 7
C 180 days 7 4 8
0.173
F 180 days 3 0 6
LLLT 180 days 5 3 6
F+LLLT 180 days 4 1 6
Legend: Intergroup evaluation of the effects of treatments in
experimental periods. Kruskal-Wallis, p <0.05.
Table II - VAS scale. Median values of experimental groups -
intragroup evaluation
Group Differences Median 25% 75% p-value
C Gr Baseline 9 5 10
0.267
C Gr 1 day 8 5 8
C Gr 30 days 8 3 8
C Gr 90 days 6 4 8
C Gr 180 days 7 4 8
F Gr Baseline A 8 6 10
0.002
F Gr 1 day AB 8 5 8
F Gr 30 days AB 6 2 7
F Gr 90 days AB 5 2 8
F Gr 180 days B 3 0 6
LLLT Gr Baseline A 9 7 10
<0.001
LLLT Gr 1 day AB 8 5 9
LLLT Gr 30 days AB 6 5 8
LLLT Gr 90 days B 5 2 8
LLLT Gr 180 days B 5 3 6
F+LLLT Gr Baseline A 8 7 10
<0.001
F+LLLT Gr 1 day AB 8 4 9
F+LLLT Gr 30 days B 5 3 7
F+LLLT Gr 90 days B 4 2 7
F+LLLT Gr 180 days B 4 1 6
Legend: Uppercase letters in the vertical indicate significant
statistical differences. Intragroup differences, Friedman’s test,
p<0.05.
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
The possibility of associating treatments
with reducing painful sensations made many
researchers look for new treatment techniques.
Orhan et al. [15] conducted a clinical study
comparing the effectiveness of a dentin
desensitizer with low-level laser therapy and
showed that both treatments act effectively on
the sensitivity of the teeth. Yilmaz et al. [14]
conducted a similar study, comparing sodium
uoride varnish to low-level laser therapy, and
obtained statistically signicant differences after
three (3) months of follow-up. Suri et al. [18]
found that the combined use of laser and
sodium uoride was more effective in reducing
hypersensitivity compared to sodium uoride
or laser alone. This is because sodium uoride
has more time to interact with the tooth surface
before the laser treatment, and the laser can
effectively seal the dentinal tubules.
According to the literature, the 24-hour
period is a short period for the beginning of
therapeutic action, where the light emitted by the
device reaches the deeper tissues and stimulates
the production of restorative dentin, sealing it
from the dentinal canaliculi. Under this aspect,
the present study had a follow-up period of 180
days, which could be considered a plausible
medium-term follow-up, which can translate the
stability and lasting effects of the therapeutic
modalities. Comparably, Jain et al. [17] and
Naghsh et al. [19] monitored the efciency of
the therapeutic modalities for periods of 60 and
180 days respectively, whereas, in the studies of
Alencar et al. [22], Gojkov-Vukelic et al. [16],
Moeintaghavi et al. [23], and Pantuzzo et al.
[24] the follow-up periods ranged between initial
periods (hours), a week, and up until 30 days.
The action of the uoride is established by
the action of the sodium uoride varnish, which
takes more than 24 hours to start its mechanism
of action, where it deposits calcium uoride in the
opening of the dentinal tubules to seal the stimulus
entrance, but provides temporary protection in low
concentrations, according to Cardoso et al. [25].
This explanation is corroborated by the studies of
Pandit et al. [13] that obtained satisfactory results
with 6% uoride varnish.
Among the strengths of the present study,
the rigor of the methodological criteria can be
highlighted by the split-mouth design employed
and the triple-blind (evaluator, operator, and
patient) in the case. The divided drawing of the
mouth used in the present study allowed the
elimination of possible inherent variables of the
participants, that is, the possible variables among
the individuals. However, among the limitations
of this study, the inclusion criteria hindered the
increase of the sample size and made it impossible
to evaluate patient-centric aspects, such as the
evaluation of the quality of life.
Considering future perspectives, more
clinical trials can be designed with methodological
rigor to establish appropriate protocols for DH
treatment.
CONCLUSION
The therapeutic modalities, uoride varnish,
low-level laser therapy, and association of both
demonstrated signicant reduction of DH from
baseline to 30-, 90-, and 180-day periods. The
therapeutic modality that was able to reduce
DH more quickly and maintain the stability of
this reduction was the association of 5% uoride
varnish with LLLT.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Profes-
sional Master’s Degree Programs in Science and
Technology Applied to Dentistry and Sciences
Applied to Oral Health of the Institute of Science and
Technology of São Paulo State University (UNESP).
Author’s Contributions
ACBNS: Conceptualization, Data Curation,
Investigation, Writing – Original Draft Preparation.
AKP: Conceptualization, Data curation,
Investigation. CMMN: Formal Analysis, Writing
– Original Draft Preparation, Writing–Review
& Editing. TRM: Data Curation, Investigation.
LCT: Formal Analysis, Writing – Original Draft
Preparation. TMFC: Methodology. IB: Formal
Analysis, Methodology. DRL: Methodology. ACM:
Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology,
Project Administration, Resources, Supervision,
Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing–
Review & Editing.
Conict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no
conicts of interest.
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Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Funding
No funds were acquired for this research.
Regulatory Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with
all the provisions of the local human subject’s
oversight committee guidelines and policies.
This study protocol was reviewed and approved
by The Committee for Ethics in Research on
Human Beings (CEPh) of ICT-UNESP approved
this study approval number (nº 2.127.016) and
The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC)
under number RBR-8yq5b8h.
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9
Braz Dent Sci 2025 Jan/Mar;28 (1): e4478
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al.
Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Silva ACBN et al. Efficacy of fluoride varnish, low-level laser therapy, and
the association of therapies in dentin hypersensitivity: a
randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Date submitted: 2024 Aug 09
Accept submission: 2025 Jan 21
Andréa Carvalho De Marco
(Corresponding address)
Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Departamento de
Diagnóstico e Cirurgia, Disciplina de Periodontia. São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
Email: andrea.marco@unesp.br
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