Management of Dentin Hypersensitivity by National Dental Practice-Based Research Network practitioners: results from a questionnaire administered prior to initiation of a clinical study on this topic

Abstract

BackgroundDentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a common problem encountered in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to identify the management approaches for DH among United States dentists.MethodsOne hundred eighty five National Dental Practice-Based Research Network clinicians completed a questionnaire regarding their preferred methods to diagnose and manage DH in the practice setting, and their beliefs about DH predisposing factors.ResultsAlmost all dentists (99%) reported using more than one method to diagnose DH. Most frequently, they reported using spontaneous patient reports coupled with excluding other causes of oral pain by direct clinical examination (48%); followed by applying an air blast (26%), applying cold water (12%), and obtaining patient reports after dentist’s query (6%). In managing DH, the most frequent first choice was desensitizing, over-the-counter (OTC), potassium nitrate toothpaste (48%), followed by fluorides (38%), and glutaraldehyde/HEMA (3%). A total of 86% of respondents reported using a combination of products when treating DH, most frequently using fluoride varnish and desensitizing OTC potassium nitrate toothpaste (70%). The most frequent predisposing factor leading to DH, as reported by the practitioners, was recessed gingiva (66%), followed by abrasion, erosion, abfraction/attrition lesions (59%) and bruxism (32%).ConclusionsThe majority of network practitioners use multiple methods to diagnose and manage DH. Desensitizing OTC potassium nitrate toothpaste and fluoride formulations are the most widely used products to manage DH in dental practice setting.

Electronic and paper mode of data capture when assessing patient‐reported outcomes in the National Dental Practice‐Based Research Network

“…Seventy‐four percent of patients were females and 26% were males. The sociodemographic characteristics of the study patients and treatment modalities recommended for dentin hypersensitivity are described elsewhere . Eighty‐five percent of the study patients chose to complete the follow‐up assessments electronically and the remaining 15% chose to complete the assessments using a paper mode via postal mail.…”

“…The sociodemographic characteristics of the study patients and treatment modalities recommended for dentin hypersensitivity are described elsewhere. 5,8 Eighty-five percent of the study patients chose to complete the follow-up assessments electronically and the remaining 15% chose to complete the assessments using a paper mode via postal mail. As shown in Table 1, certain characteristics of these two patient groups were significantly different.…”

The effects of photobiomodulation therapy for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity

“…Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is classified as a painful response to different stimuli, 18,19 which may occur at any age, with etiology and pathogenesis associated or not with non-carious cervical lesions (abfraction, abrasion and erosion). 3,20 Regarding prevalence, premolars are the most affected teeth. 21 Treatments with desensitizing agents represent a great alternative for cases of DH; however, studies have shown that their results are not long-lasting, 3,[22][23][24] because the materials used have different mechanisms of action 3,9,25 and depend on the patient's oral conditions and habits (masticatory overload).…”

“…Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is characterized as a short-term, acute pain in response for several external stimuli that cannot be attributed to any other dental pathology. 1,2 Dentin exposure in the cervical region can be caused by dental wear such as abrasions, erosion, and abfraction, 3 as well as gingival recession, possibly causing DH. 4 External stimuli, which may be evaporative, thermal, osmotic and tactile, may expose dentin from mild discomfort to extreme pain, affecting patient's eating habits and oral hygiene, and even negatively affect their quality of life.…”

Management of dentin hypersensitivity by practitioners in The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network

“…Based on the questionnaire responses, the most frequent first choice was desensitizing OTC potassium nitrate toothpaste (48%), followed by fluorides (38%), and glutaraldehyde/HEMA (3%). 18 Based on a survey of dentists in a network from the northwestern US states, fluoride products were the most common treatment modalities used. 16 Other commonly recommended treatments for DH were applications of bonding agents (81%), restorative treatments (63%), applications of glutaraldehyde/HEMA (58%) and potassium nitrates (47%).…”