The effect of light premature occlusal contact on tooth pain threshold in humans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of an experimentally induced light premature occlusal contact on tooth sensation. This assessment involved monitoring the electric tooth pain threshold (TPT) at multiple times before and after altering the occlusal contact. This alteration was produced by placing high inlays, which were measured with a custom made measuring device in maximum intercuspation. Data were collected on 10 teeth in 5 subjects, all whom were male and between the ages of 24 and 30 years. The contact area of the high inlays varied from 75 microm to 193 microm. The TPT changes in these teeth ranged from -43 to +21% of their baseline level. Seven of these teeth showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the TPT, one showed an increase and two did not show a significant change. Two of the teeth with a decreased TPT had cold water triggered occlusal pain, and 2 teeth had only occlusal pain. After several inlay adjustments to eliminate interference in maximum intercuspation, all tested teeth returned to their TPT baseline level and all symptoms disappeared. These results suggested that a light premature occlusal contact may change tooth sensation.

Effect of Experimentally Induced Occlusal Trauma on Substance P Expression in Human Dental Pulp and Periodontal Ligament

“…Mechanical irritation of dentin could affect dental pulp as a result of increased fluid movement inside the dentinal tubules, stimulating pulp nociceptors (27). SP released from nerve fibers can provoke a significant alteration in tissue homeostasis and pain sensitivity by triggering the release of inflammatory mediators (7,28). If the occlusal interference is not eliminated, nerve fibers could become sensitized and therefore experience spontaneous depolarization, enhancing pain response (1,4,28).…”

Angiogenic mechanisms of human dental pulp and their relationship with substance P expression in response to occlusal trauma

“…After this form of stimuli takes place, the defence mechanisms of the pulp include the production of tertiary dentine and inflammation (Ikeda et al . , Caviedes‐Bucheli et al . , Lee et al .…”

“…This process describes the stimulation of peripheral neurons which results in neuropeptides release, altering the vascular processes causing vasodilatation, increasing the permeability of the vessels and facilitating the accumulation of leucocytes (Kim , Ikeda et al . , Caviedes‐Bucheli et al . , ).…”

“…Vascular neoformation will carry out the function of providing oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissue to make the dental pulp viable in spite of the dentine apposition that characterizes the calcification phenomena (Ikeda et al . , Tran‐Hung et al . , Marchionni et al .…”

Current status of researches on jaw movement and occlusion for clinical application

“…In that study, significant changes in the teeth threshold levels were found 2 days after the interference was attached, and adjustment of the interferences caused corresponding changes in the threshold levels. Ikeda et al [35] concluded that occlusal interference could be a cause of hypersensitive dentin and that occlusal adjustment should be considered as a suitable aid for such cases. A discrimination test with silver foil thickness suggested that the sensor threshold level of the periodontal ligament was 10-35 mm for intact molar teeth [36].…”