A New Perspective on Dentine Hypersensitivity – Guidelines for General Dental Practice

Abstract

The aim of this review is to update dental professionals on the issues and challenges associated with the clinical management of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and to provide simple guidelines based on presenting clinical features that may help them successfully manage the condition in their day-to-day clinical practice. Details on the management of DH have been previously published in Dental Update which indicated that there was a need for such guidelines. The authors of these guidelines also suggested that, despite the various published clinical studies, there does not currently appear to be one ideal desensitizing agent that can be recommended for treating DH. A joint working relationship between the dental professional and the patient in changing the patient’s behaviour is therefore essential if the condition is to be successfully treated. Clinical relevance: Dentine hypersensitivity is a persistent and a troublesome clinical condition which at times is under diagnosed by dental professionals who may struggle to resolve the problem to their patients’ satisfaction successfully. The recent UK Forum guidelines on the management of DH, based on the presenting features of the condition, provide practical recommendations, helping dental professionals to manage this persistent problem correctly.