Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 31 patients were included. Teeth were assigned randomly two groups of with or without irradiation by laser. In the experimental group the same clinical procedure was used as the control group, except applying laser emission before filling. Self-etch adhesive; Clearfil SE Bond, was applied and cavities restored with composite resin; Clearfil APX. Preoperative and 1-day, 2-, and 4-week-postoperative hypersensitivity were recorded for both groups using an 11-point visual analog scale filled out by subjects. The analyses were conducted to determine whether any correlation or association existed between with or without laser irradiation during several follow-ups. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxson and Friedman test.
Results: Laser irradiation had a significantly higher desensitizing effect compared with the control group after treatment. Significant differences were observed between the laser and control groups at every follow-up examination. For the laser and control group, the differences between baseline and all time points following the treatment were statistically significant.
Conclusions: Laser irradiation is an effective method in the reduction of postoperative sensitivity compared with non-irradiated treatment.