Dentine Hypersensitivity

Question 1

Definition dentine hypersensitivity?

Answer 1

Short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to stimuli
Can’t be ascribed to another dental defect or pathology

Question 2

What stimuli cause pain?

Answer 2

Thermal
Osmotic
Tactile

Question 3

Causes exposed dentine?

Answer 3

Tooth wear - abrasion, attrition, erosion and abfrasction

Question 4

What is attrition?

Answer 4

Wear due to direct contact of teeth

Question 5

What is erosion

Answer 5

Chemical wear of teeth - internal or external sources

Question 6

RF for dentine hypersensitivity?

Answer 6

Vigorous toothburshing
Grinding
Acidic diet 
Acid reflux 
Bullimia 
Pt w/ perio

Question 7

What causes pain in dentine hypersensivitiy?

Answer 7

Dentine exposed
Pain stimuli - open tubulues in exposed dentine make hyper-sensitivty
Stimuli causes fluid shift in tubules exciting pulpal nerves = pain

Question 8

What is theory that describes fluid movement in dentinal tubules?

Answer 8

Hydrodynamic theory

Question 9

Diagnostic test of dentine hypersensitivity?

Answer 9

Probe - touch exposed dentine
Thermal test - 3in1
Chemical - hypertonic solution

Question 10

Manage dentine hypersensitivity?

Answer 10

Pt education
Prevention
Desensitising toothpaste - one that occludes dentinal tubules/ decrease nerve excitability