Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Diode Laser and Toothpaste on Dentinal Hypersensitivity: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is a common clinical condition characterized by short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin, significantly affecting quality of life. While desensitizing toothpastes are widely used as non-invasive management options, their effectiveness often depends on patient compliance. Diode lasers have recently gained attention as a promising alternative for providing rapid and durable relief. This systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane guidelines, included 13 randomized controlled trials published between 2015 and April 2025 from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The majority of studies demonstrated a significant reduction in DH following diode laser therapy, irrespective of wavelength (680–980 nm) or treatment duration. Compared to conventional desensitizing toothpastes such as potassium nitrate, pro-argin, or biosilicate formulations, diode lasers showed superior outcomes, except when compared with nano carbonate apatite (n-CAP), which exhibited similar efficacy. Within the limitations of the available studies, diode laser therapy appears to be an effective and safe modality for managing dentinal hypersensitivity, offering immediate and potentially long-term relief through dentinal tubule occlusion; however, further well-designed randomized trials are warranted to establish standardized treatment protocols.