| West, Nicola, Seong, Joon and Davies, Maria 2014. The histopathology of dental erosion: Dentine hypersensitivity available. Lussi, A. and Gann, S.S., eds. Erosive Tooth Wear: From Diagnosis to Therapy, Vol. 25. Monographs in Oral Science, S. Karger AG, p. 108. (10.1159/000360749) |
Abstract
Dentine hypersensitivity is a common oral pain condition affecting many individuals. The aetiology is multifactorial; however, over recent years the importance of erosion has become more evident. For dentine hypersensitivity to occur, the lesion must first be localised on the tooth surface and then initiated to exposed dentine tubules which are patent to the pulp. The short, sharp pain symptom is thought to be derived from the hydrodynamic pain theory and, although transient, is arresting, affecting quality of life. This episodic pain condition is likely to become a more frequent dental complaint in the future due to the increase in longevity of the dentition and the rise in tooth wear, particularly amongst young adults. Many efficacious treatment regimens are now available, in particular a number of over-the-counter home use products. The basic principles of treatment are altering fluid flow in the dentinal tubules with tubule occlusion or modifying or chemically blocking the pulpal nerve. Dentine hypersensitivity is a common oral pain condition affecting the teeth of many individuals. It is reasonable to surmise that with the increasing life expectancy of the population with a functional natural dentition (with vital or minimally restored teeth [1] prone to tooth wear), dentine hypersensitivity is likely to become a more frequent dental problem. Further, the healthy yet erosive lifestyle, adopted particularly amongst the younger adult population, is leading to a rise in tooth wear and dentine hypersensitivity. This is clearly demonstrated in a recent multicentre European study (7 countries) examining 3,187 young adults attending general dental practices, where 42% of patients aged between 18 and 35 years demonstrated dentine hypersensitivity [2], and about 30% demonstrated tooth wear [3]. Dentine tubules must be patent from the dental pulp to the oral environment to experience pain [4], which is widely thought to result from stimulus-induced tubular fluid flow and consequent nociceptor activation in the pulp/dentine border area [5]. The quality of life of patients is often altered as pain is associated with tangible frequent discomfort [6]. Affected individuals cope by modifying behaviours such as avoiding chilled food and drink and seeking self or professional treatment. The aforementioned study [2] demonstrated that 28% of the population felt dentine hypersensitivity affecting them importantly or very importantly; thus, dentine hypersensitivity is arguably a serious health issue.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Dentistry |
| Publisher: | S. Karger AG |
| ISBN: | 978-3-318-02552-1 |
| ISSN: | 00770892 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Oct 2025 13:04 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181857 |
Actions (repository staff only)
 |
Edit Item |
Dimensions
Dimensions