[Dentinal hypersensivity after vertical stripping of enamel]

Vertical stripping of enamel in patients with minor or moderate crowding of teeth and Angle's class I is an effective method which supplements orthodontic treatment. Stripping is an alternative to tooth extraction or to extension of alveolar arches which carries the risk of recurrence of crowding and further periodontal difficulties. Stripping also shortens considerably the duration of treatment. Apart from unquestionable advantages, enamel reduction may lead to complications such as caries or hypersensitivity of interproximal surfaces of stripped teeth. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypersensitivity and to measure the intensity of pain.

We performed a verbal and visual assessment of pain in a group of 32 patients who underwent stripping during the recent few years as part of orthodontic treatment.

According to verbal assessment, the highest percentage (46.9%) of patients rated their pain as 1 (gentle pain) which corresponded to 1-3 cm on the 10 cm Visual Analog Scale. 37.5% of patients reported no pain.

None of the patients described their pain as very strong and discouraging from further treatment. All symptoms subsided without recurrence. The patients found this method to be more effective than alternative ones.