An analysis of the etiological and predisposing factors related to dentin hypersensitivity

To determine the prevalence of different etiological factors of dentin hypersensitivity in patients and to provide information on their association with dentin hypersensitivity.

Twenty-nine patients (17 male, 12 female) suffering from pain of dentin hypersensitivity were recruited to participate in the study. A relevant history was taken and dentin hypersensitivity confirmed by using air-blast and tactile stimuli.

All patients were right-handed. The left side of the mouth showed a preponderance of gingival recession, abrasion, abfraction, and erosion while more teeth on the right side showed attrition. Gingival recession and attrition were common among the molars, abrasions among the molars and premolars, abfraction among the premolars, while erosive lesions were predominantly found among the incisors. A total of 911 teeth were examined in the 29 subjects presenting with dentin hypersensitivity. The following conditions were found to be associated with the dentin hypersensitivity: 43 of 117 teeth (36.8%) with gingival recession; 41 of 99 teeth (41.4%) with attrition; 40 of 67 teeth (59.7%) with abrasion; 16 of 25 teeth (64%) with abfraction; and 32 teeth had erosive lesions all associated with hypersensitivity.

Gingival recessions followed by attrition were the most commonly found etiological factors leading to dentin hypersensitivity. Erosive lesions were mostly associated with dentin hypersensitivity. A statistically significant relationship exists between dentin hypersensitivity, tooth wear lesions, and gingival recession.

This study provides clinical evidence supporting the notion of dentin hypersensitivity being a tooth wear phenomenon. Therefore, successful preventive and management strategies for sufferers of dentin hypersensitivity must take into consideration causal factors for tooth wear and gingival recession.