Effect of tooth hypersensitivity and caries risk on enamel electrical resistance values

Introduction: Tooth enamel has a high specific electrical resistance due to its mineral-rich composition. The decreased electrical resistance is associated with the low mineral content of the enamel tissue and can be used as a method for early diagnosis of incipient caries. This indicates compromised enamel protection in the absence of clinically evident enamel damage, permitting reactions to irritants without direct dentin exposure. Aim: The study aims to investigate the relationship between reduced enamel electrical resistance measured using the CarieScanPro device and the presence of tooth hypersensitivity and varying levels of caries risk. Materials and methods: The study involved a total of 60 patients ranging in age from 25 to 45 years, who were categorized into two distinct groups based on their caries risk and the presence or absence of tooth hypersensitivity. The risk of developing dental caries was assessed using an American Dental Association (ADA) questionnaire. This questionnaire was translated and validated in Bulgarian. A total of twenty teeth were examined for each patient, with the teeth being categorized into four groups based on their location within the oral cavity: the first group consisted of the upper central incisors, the second group consisted of the upper lateral incisors, the third group consisted of the lower central incisors, and the fourth group consisted of the lower lateral incisors. The electrical resistance of the enamel on the vestibular cervical surface was measured on each tooth. To this end, a CarieScanPro device was utilized, which shows the result as both a numerical value and a letter on a display. Results: A statistically significant difference in the value of electrical resistance was found between patients with and without tooth hypersensitivity, but there is no such difference in patients with different degrees of caries risk. Conclusions: Tooth hypersensitivity is significantly associated with a higher prevalence of teeth with reduced electrical resistance, regardless of caries risk level.