An analysis of the aetiology, prevalence and clinical features of dentine hypersensitivity in a general dental population

Abstract

Aim: Dentine hypersensitivity may be defined as pain arising from exposed dentine typically in response to chemical, thermal or osmotic stimuli that cannot be explained as a rising from any other form of dental defect or pathology. The aim to this cross-sectional study was to determine prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and to examine some associated etiological factors in a study of patients visiting general dental practitioners in Turkey.

Patients and methods: A total of 1368 patients were examined for the presence of cervical dentine hypersensitivity by means of a questionnaire and intraoral tests by (air and probe stimuli). The patients have at least two different quadrants which have sensitive teeth with sound exposed cervical dentin on the facial surface were included the study.

Results: A total of 285 teeth were diagnosed as having dentine hypersensitivity in 73 patients, giving an overall prevalence figure for dentine hypersensitivity of 5.3%. 40-49 years age group was the cohort with the greatest number of subjects with DH and females had more predilection than males. Upper premolars were most affected and the commonest initiating factor was cold drinks. Subjects who smoked did not have more sensitive teeth on average than subjects who did not smoke (p > 0.05). Approximately half of the patients reported DH for a duration of within 1-3 days. The commonest etiological factor with the sensitive teeth was the gingival recession.

Conclusions: The prevalence of dentine sensitivity in this sample was lower compared to studies carried out previously in different populations both general practice and hospital clinics. Further larger scale studies are required to assess its prevalence in Turkish population.