Dentine Hypersensitivity

Abstract

Dentine Hypersensitivity

Putthiporn Jirathanakorn DDS

Dental Section, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is defined as "a short sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to stimuli and cannot be ascribed to any other forms of dental defect or diseases." There are various etiologies and predisposing factors that cause exposure of dentinal tubules. The most widely accepted mechanism of DH is the hydrodynamic theory. This theory postulates a rapid shift of fluid within the dentinal tubules in either direction after an exposure to stimulus, resulting in activation of sensory nerves in the pulp. The prevalence of DH varies widely depending on the mode of investigation. The average prevalence rate is 15%. Management of patients suffering from DH requires full understanding about etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this condition. When a definitive diagnosis of DH is made, all predisposing factors must be removed or modified together with a use of desensitizing agents.

Keywords: dentine hypersensitivity, dentinal tubule, dentinal fluid, desensitizing agent

Vajira Med J 2010 ; 54 : 215-221