Efficacy of Lasers, Propolis-Based Agent, and Sham for Dentine Hypersensitivity

June 10, 2026 updated by: Yaşar Tolga KAYIM, Ondokuz Mayıs University

Comparison of Nd:YAG Laser, Diode Laser, Herbal Propolis-Based Dentin Barrier Agent, and Sham Application in the Treatment of Dentine Hypersensitivity: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Dentine hypersensitivity is a common clinical problem. Although Nd:YAG lasers, diode lasers, and topical desensitizing agents are widely utilized, long-term comparative evidence regarding their clinical efficacy remains limited. This prospective, randomized, parallel-arm, evaluator-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial evaluated and compared the 12-month clinical performance of an Nd:YAG laser, a diode laser, a herbal propolis-based dentin barrier agent, and a sham application.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study was conducted as a prospective, randomized, parallel-arm, evaluator-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of four different treatment modalities for dentine hypersensitivity over a 6-month follow-up period.

A total of 140 patients who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled and randomly allocated into four equal groups (n=35 per group) using a block randomization method with a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio. The intervention groups were assigned as follows:

Group 1 received Nd:YAG laser application.

Group 2 received Diode laser application.

Group 3 received a topical application of a herbal propolis-based dentin barrier agent.

Group 4 received a sham (placebo) application to simulate the treatment experience without delivering any active laser or therapeutic agent benefits.

Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome was the change in pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) following a controlled air blast stimulus from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale, tactile sensitivity scores, patient satisfaction levels, the documentation of any adverse events, and the need for additional treatment during the 6-month period. To ensure objectivity, all clinical assessments and statistical analyses were performed by researchers who were fully blinded to the treatment allocations.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

140

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Samsun
      • Samsun, Samsun, Turkey (Türkiye), 55270
        • Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients aged between 18 and 65 years.
  • Presence of at least two hypersensitive teeth.
  • Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 4 or higher (VAS >= 4) following stimulus.
  • Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale score of 2 or higher (Schiff >= 2).
  • Presence of vital teeth in the target area.
  • Patient is willing and able to provide written informed consent prior to study initiation.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy or lactation.
  • Presence of active periodontal disease in the target area.
  • Teeth with dental caries, deep restorations, or cracked tooth syndrome.
  • Endodontically treated teeth.
  • History of allergy or hypersensitivity related to the materials, products, or chemical agents used in the study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group 1: Nd:YAG Laser
Participants assigned to this group received Nd:YAG laser application targeted at the hypersensitive teeth to achieve desensitization. The procedure was completed during the treatment session according to the clinical protocol.
Device: Nd:YAG Laser Application
Nd:YAG laser application performed for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity.
Experimental: Group 2: Diode Laser
Participants assigned to this group received Diode laser application on the affected dentine areas for hypersensitivity treatment. The application was performed in accordance with the specified parameters.
Device: Diode Laser Application
Diode laser application performed for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity.
Experimental: Group 3: Dentin Barrier Agent
Participants assigned to this group received a topical application of a herbal propolis-based dentin barrier agent onto the hypersensitive tooth surfaces. The agent was applied to seal the dentinal tubules and reduce sensitivity.
Other: Herbal Propolis-Based Dentin Barrier Agent
Topical application of a herbal propolis-based dentin barrier agent.
Sham Comparator: Group 4: Sham Application
Participants assigned to this group received a sham (placebo) procedure designed to completely simulate the laser or topical application experience without delivering any active laser energy or therapeutic desensitizing agent. This group served as the control to account for the placebo effect.
Other: Sham Application
Placebo/sham procedure to simulate treatment without delivering active laser or therapeutic agent benefits

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score after Air Stimulus
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Pain intensity evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme/worst pain). The primary outcome is defined as the change in pain intensity in response to a controlled air blast stimulus from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline and 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately post-treatment, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months
Dentine sensitivity assessed using the Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale, where scores range from 0 (patient does not respond to air stimulus) to 3 (patient responds to air stimulus, experiences pain, and requests discontinuation of stimulus).
Baseline, immediately post-treatment, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months
Tactile Sensitivity Score
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately post-treatment, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months
Tactile sensitivity evaluated using a standard dental explorer probe passed across the affected dentine surface to record the presence or absence of discomfort or pain.
Baseline, immediately post-treatment, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

December 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 10, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

June 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 10, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 10, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 10, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2025000326-2

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared publicly to ensure patient confidentiality and compliance with the ethical committee approval, which did not include a provision for public data repository sharing.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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