Dentine hypersensitivity — an enigma? a review of terminology, mechanisms, aetiology and management

Abstract

Dentine hypersensitivity is a relatively common problem experienced in clinical dental practice. This condition may disturb the patient during eating, drinking, brushing and sometimes even breathing. Therapeutic intervention by desensitising agents may provide only partial pain relief and recurrence is common. Much remains unknown about dentine hypersensitivity, even the terminology can be questioned. Most of the literature over decades has been concerned with reporting clinical trials proving the efficacy of numerous treatments for dentine hypersensitivity. Indeed, besides haemorrhoids, there can be few other diseases or conditions known to man that can apparently be successfully treated by so many and extremely varied agents and formulations applied topically. This paper will discuss the epidemiology, mechanisms of pain production and aetiological factors for the condition in the hope of developing ideas for more realistic prevention and management strategies.

Dentin hypersensitivity treatment of non-carious cervical lesions – a single-blind, split-mouth study

“…1,3 To date, no method has been developed to resolve CDH satisfactorily, and recurrences are common. 4 Patients with CDH must be thoroughly evaluated for the diagnosis and control of etiological factors, because the treatment must achieve rapid and permanent pain relief. 4,5 Declaration of Interests: The authors certify that they have no commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the manuscript.…”

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning of Dentinal Hypersensitivity

“…Soğuk uyaran, dentin kanallarındaki sıvının hızla dışarı doğru akmasına neden olduğu için en şiddetli ağrıyı oluşturan uyaran olarak bildirilmektedir. 11,12 Klinik uygulamalarda sıklıkla kullanılan hava spreyi dentinde buharlaşmaya neden olmakta ve sıvı kaybını telafi etmek için kapiller atraksiyon kuvvetleri harekete geçerek dentin sıvısını dışarı doğru hareket ettirmektedirler. Muayene sondu ise dentin sıvısını içeri doğru hareket ettirerek mekanoreseptörlerin uyarılma-sına ve hassasiyet oluşumuna yol açar.…”

A CLINICAL COMPARISON of IN -OFFICE MANAGEMENT OF DENTIN HYPERSENSITIVITY IN A SHORT TERM TREATMENT PERIOD

“…Tooth sensitivity is a significant clinical problem which is frequently encountered in clinical practice which can be a very frustrating oral condition for both patients and clinicians alike 1,2,3 . Dental hypersensitivity is referred as pain arising from exposed dentine, typically in response to tactile, thermal, chemical, or osmotic stimuli that cannot be explained as arising from any other form of dental defect or pathology.…”

“…The efficacies of these products are varied, not well-established and unpredictable; therefore, clinicians are left to determine the most satisfactory and effective treatment approach for the relief of dentin hypersensitivity for patients in their practices. 3 Only a few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of the desensitizing agents in vivo. Hence, it was considered worthwhile to assess the efficacy of the desensitizing agents in providing short-term relief from dentin hypersensitivity and to help the clinician choose the most effective treatment solution for dentin hypersensitivity.…”