Clinical aspects of dentine hypersensitivity

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Biology
• Pain Research

Background:

• Dentine hypersensitivity is a prevalent yet poorly understood painful oral condition.
• Existing research primarily focuses on clinical assessment of treatments, with limited understanding of their mechanisms of action.
• Clinical aspects and prevalence data for dentine hypersensitivity are often anecdotal or incomplete.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of dentine hypersensitivity.
• To highlight gaps in knowledge regarding its aetiology, prevalence, and management.
• To emphasize the need for a differential diagnosis and consideration of aetiological factors.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on dentine hypersensitivity.
• Analysis of clinical assessment data and proposed mechanisms.
• Discussion of diagnostic challenges and aetiological factors.

Main Results:

• Most research addresses therapeutic agents, neglecting their modes of action.
• Prevalence data is scarce, though age, gender, and oral site predilections may exist.
• Hypersensitive lesions show widened, patent dentinal tubules, supporting the hydrodynamic theory.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of dentine hypersensitivity requires understanding aetiological factors and addressing exposed dentinal tubules.
• Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms, establish prevalence, and refine treatment strategies.
• Dentine replica techniques may offer objective methods for studying the condition and treatment outcomes.