The Prevalence of Root Sensitivity following Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The reported prevalence of dentine/root (hyper)sensitivity (DH/RS) in the published literature varies, and this may be due in part to a) the different study populations and (b) the different methodologies employed in evaluating the pain response. According to von Troil et al. (2002) there are limited data available in terms of the prevalence and intensity of DH/RS following periodontal therapy. Objectives. The aim of the present study was therefore to review the literature in order to identify all relevant studies for inclusion and to determine whether there was any evidence of DH/RS following periodontal procedures in the published literature up to 31st December 2009 using an agreed search protocol. Methods. 840 papers were identified, from searching both electronic databases (PUBMED) and hand searching of relevant written journals. Twelve papers were subsequently accepted for inclusion. Results. The results of the present study would indicate that the reported prevalence for DH/RS (following nonsurgical therapy) was between 62.5% and 90% one day after treatment decreasing to approximately 52.6% to 55% after one week. The prevalence of DH/RS following surgical therapy was between 76.8% and 80.4% one day after treatment subsequently decreasing over time to 36.8% after 1 week, 33.4% after 2 weeks, 29.6% after 4 weeks, and 21.7% after 8 weeks. Conclusions. It is evident from reviewing the included studies that patients may suffer from mild discomfort following periodontal procedures although both the prevalence and intensity of DH/RS may vary depending on the duration and the type of procedure involved. Most of the studies included in this paper would tend to suggest that DH/RS may be relatively mild/moderate in nature and transient in duration.

Prevalence and Risk Indicators of Dentin Hypersensitivity in Adult and Elderly Populations From Porto Alegre, Brazil

“…The present population‐based study provides additional evidence supporting previous clinical findings that periodontal treatment is related to the occurrence of DH. A recent systematic review of interventional studies 34 observed that different periodontal therapeutic strategies resulted in elevated dental sensitivity, although variations in duration and intensity may exist. Another Brazilian observational study conducted with dental patients found similar results 23 .…”

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Reducing Dentinal Hypersensitivity and Pain Following Periodontal Flap Surgery

“…10,28 The reported prevalence of DH following surgical therapy was 76.8-80.4% after 1 day, 29 36.8% after 1 week, 33.4% after 2 weeks, 29.6% after 4 weeks, and 21.7% after 8 weeks. 30 Although the removal of root cementum should be kept minimal, root instrumentation exposes dentinal tubules to the oral environment, thus exposing the dentin to a variety of bacterial, chemical, and mechanical stimuli. 31 DH usually reduces within a few weeks or months by formation of secondary dentin and natural occlusion of tubules by intertubular dentin.…”

Prevalence of dentinal hypersensitivity and study of associated factors: a cross-sectional study based on the general dental population of Davangere, Karnataka, India

“…From the literature it is apparent that other terms are used to describe this clinical condition, for example, cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS), cervical dentine hypersensitivity (CDH), dentine sensitivity (DS) or root dentine sensitivity (RDS)/root dentine hypersensitivity (RDH), which describes sensitivity arising from periodontal disease and its treatment. However, the sensitivity that occurs following periodontal therapy may be distinct from the DH that occurs after hydrodynamic stimulation. To date, the term ‘dentin hypersensitivity’ has been preferred in the published literature, partly because of its historical significance.…”