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SENSITIVITY AND LASER TREATMENT
LETTERS bridging the gap between researcher and clinician. Elliot Abt, D.D.S., M.S. Chicago SENSITIVITY AND LASER TREATMENT
I read with great interest Dr. Gordon Christensen’s monologue on the cause and treatment of tooth sensitivity in June JADA. I was surprised that the use of lasers for treatment of tooth sensitivity was not mentioned for thoroughness, if for nothing else. Although most hard-tissue applications of dental lasers remain experimental at this time, anecdotal reports and studies such as those by Fayed and Liebow in Journal of Dental Research, 1995, and Practical Periodontal Aesthetics, 1997, have shown extremely favorable responses of sensitive teeth to laser treatment. I have 35 citations pertaining to the use of lasers for desensitizing teeth that are available from the Academy of Laser Dentistry on request. As a practicing periodontist who performs many laser-assist-
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ed procedures, I have documented a 60 percent success rate using the CO2 laser to treat sensitive root surfaces postoperatively. Patients are routinely informed of the experimental nature of the procedure, and their consent is obtained. To date, I have not noted any untoward results of this treatment such as pulpal damage or increased sensitivity. As hard-tissue applications continue to be studied and applied to dental therapy, the treatment of posttherapy dental sensitivity will become more successful and will allow us to provide our patients with more comfortable and complete dental treatment. Stuart Coleton, D.D.S. President-elect Academy of Laser Dentistry Huntington Woods, Mich. Author’s response: I appreciated hearing from [Dr. Coleton] relative to my article on the treatment of tooth sensitivity. We have done some laser research at Clinical Research Associates relative to this subject and have found, as was re-
ported by Dr. Coleton in his letter, significant success. As lasers become more widely used in the profession, this will be a more common modality for treatment of the perplexing sensitivity problem. Gordon J. Christensen, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D. Provo, Utah DENTAL FISSURE CARIES
Kudos to Dr. Mark Rogers (Letters, June JADA). He made the point that it should be every practitioner’s goal to properly diagnose dental fissure caries, thoroughly remove all caries and restore the tooth to a properly functioning anatomy, which includes fissures and cutting planes. However, the editors gave his letter the title “Against Bonded Amalgams.” If the editor wishes to portray the letter as a negative objection, it should be what the author stated—sloppy diagnosis, technique and validation of practices, which violate Hippocrates’ tenet “Do no harm.” Walter A. Doyle, D.D.S., M.S.D. Chris Baker, D.M.D., R.N. Lexington, Ky.
JADA, Vol. 129, September 1998 Copyright ©1998-2001 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
I read with great interest Dr. Gordon Christensen’s monologue on the cause and treatment of tooth sensitivity in June JADA. I was surprised that the use of lasers for treatment of tooth sensitivity was not mentioned for thoroughness, if for nothing else. Although most hard-tissue applications of dental lasers remain experimental at this time, anecdotal reports and studies such as those by Fayed and Liebow in Journal of Dental Research, 1995, and Practical Periodontal Aesthetics, 1997, have shown extremely favorable responses of sensitive teeth to laser treatment. I have 35 citations pertaining to the use of lasers for desensitizing teeth that are available from the Academy of Laser Dentistry on request. As a practicing periodontist who performs many laser-assist-
1198
ed procedures, I have documented a 60 percent success rate using the CO2 laser to treat sensitive root surfaces postoperatively. Patients are routinely informed of the experimental nature of the procedure, and their consent is obtained. To date, I have not noted any untoward results of this treatment such as pulpal damage or increased sensitivity. As hard-tissue applications continue to be studied and applied to dental therapy, the treatment of posttherapy dental sensitivity will become more successful and will allow us to provide our patients with more comfortable and complete dental treatment. Stuart Coleton, D.D.S. President-elect Academy of Laser Dentistry Huntington Woods, Mich. Author’s response: I appreciated hearing from [Dr. Coleton] relative to my article on the treatment of tooth sensitivity. We have done some laser research at Clinical Research Associates relative to this subject and have found, as was re-
ported by Dr. Coleton in his letter, significant success. As lasers become more widely used in the profession, this will be a more common modality for treatment of the perplexing sensitivity problem. Gordon J. Christensen, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D. Provo, Utah DENTAL FISSURE CARIES
Kudos to Dr. Mark Rogers (Letters, June JADA). He made the point that it should be every practitioner’s goal to properly diagnose dental fissure caries, thoroughly remove all caries and restore the tooth to a properly functioning anatomy, which includes fissures and cutting planes. However, the editors gave his letter the title “Against Bonded Amalgams.” If the editor wishes to portray the letter as a negative objection, it should be what the author stated—sloppy diagnosis, technique and validation of practices, which violate Hippocrates’ tenet “Do no harm.” Walter A. Doyle, D.D.S., M.S.D. Chris Baker, D.M.D., R.N. Lexington, Ky.
JADA, Vol. 129, September 1998 Copyright ©1998-2001 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.