Origin and Development of Cervical Dentin Hypersensitivity and Noncarious Cervical Lesions: Literature Review

This article reports on published literature for causative factors of cervical dentin hypersensitivity and noncarious cervical lesions. The author conducted an exhaustive literary review of both conditions to examine etiologic co-factors involved for these dental findings. Previous literature found that these two conditions arise from combinations of dental stress distant from occlusal contacts, biocorrosion, and possibly friction. It is impossible to separate these three factors for the modern dentate human due to masticatory function and tooth contact when swallowing. The author concludes that in vivo study is needed to clarify the roles that etiologic factors play in the development of this type of dental pain and/or noncarious lesions. The clinical significance of this review is that a dental and medical history and active etiologic factors need to be uncovered for cervical dentin hypersensitivity with resulting noncarious cervical lesions. The successful clinician needs to determine causative factors, if possible, prior to treatment.