[Clinical evaluation of force-sensitive probe in the examination of tooth sensitivity]

Two methods were tested for measuring the sensitivity of dentin to mechanical (force-sensitive probe) and cold air stimuli. Of the 212 sensitive teeth in 71 patients, 94.8% were sensitive to probe, with a mean threshold of 22.79g; 89.6% were sensitive to cold air. These two methods were significantly correlated (P < 0.001). The occlusal sites were less sensitive than the buccal sites measured by probe and cold air. It suggests that force-sensitive probe is a simple, quantitative method of measuring tooth hypersensitivity.