Dentin hypersensitivity

LLLT for dentin hypersensitivity systematic review and meta-analysis

Shan Z, Ji J, McGrath C, et al. Clinical Oral Investigations. 2021.

Source

A dentin hypersensitivity review found LLLT favorable versus placebo for immediate, interim, and persistent efficacy, though heterogeneity was high.

Evidence grade

moderate

Effect direction

positive

Panel relevance

not-panel-replicable

Key findings

  • Thirty-five articles informed the review; 20 RCTs entered quantitative meta-analysis.
  • LLLT showed favorable immediate, interim, and persistent outcomes versus placebo.
  • LLLT was not broadly superior to other desensitizing strategies except some fluoride comparisons.

Protocol details

WavelengthsNot reported nm
IrradianceNot reported mW/cm2
FluenceNot reported J/cm2
Session timeNot reported minutes
FrequencyDental protocol-specific
DurationImmediate, interim, and persistent follow-up windows
Treatment areaSensitive teeth/dentin surfaces
Device typeDental low-level light therapy

Caveats

  • Substantial heterogeneity limits protocol certainty.
  • This is a dental laser/light protocol, not panel-replicable.