Prevalence of dentinal hypersensitivity and study of associated factors: a cross-sectional study based on the general dental population of Davangere, Karnataka, India

The Synergistic Effect of Ozonated Oil and Desensitising Toothpaste on Dentinal Tubule Occlusion: An In Vitro Study

Introduction Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is the most common problem encountered by clinicians. It can be managed either by blocking neural activities or by occluding tubules. Ozonated oil facilitates the simple passage of desensitizing agents into dentinal tubules. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ozonated oil on dentinal tubule occlusion before and after the application of desensitizing toothpaste. Materials and methods The study was carried out in Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, India. The sample size of the study was 80. The first group contained specimens for control. The second group comprised specimens treated with ozonated oil. The third group comprised specimens being treated with a desensitizing agent. The fourth group contained specimens treated with both the desensitizing agent and ozonated oil. The specimens then received an acid challenge. The specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) before any therapy, after the application of the therapeutic agents and after the 37.5% ortho-phosphoric acid challenge. Results Inferential statistics to compare between the groups was calculated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics. Post-hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) was performed to compare the groups. The mean scores of the partial tubular occlusion of Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 before the acid challenge were 0.035, 0.691, 0.564 and 0.368, respectively. The maximum score was obtained in the case of Group 2, which was statistically significant. The mean scores for partial tubule occlusion after the acid challenge for Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were 0.055, 0.531, 0.733 and 0.142, respectively. There was evidence of maximum partial tubule occlusion after the acid treatment in the case of Group 3. The mean scores of Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 before the acid challenge were 0.019, 0.309, 0.442 and 0.609, respectively. The maximum score was obtained in the case of Group 4, implying a greater number of total tubular occlusions before the acid challenge. The mean scores of the total tubular occlusions after the acid challenge for Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were 0.047, 0.465, 0.272 and 0.890, respectively. There was evidence of maximum tubule occlusion in the case of Group 4, which was statistically significant. Conclusion Overall, the application of a desensitizing toothpaste with ozonated oil holds promise as a potentially more effective treatment approach for DH. Further research and clinical studies may be needed to fully validate its efficacy and safety in dental practice.

Dentists' education, knowledge, and professional behavior concerning the diagnosis and treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: An exploration

OBJECTIVES

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) affects patients' oral health-related quality of life, but is not always optimally treated in dental offices. The objectives were to assess dentists' DH-related education, knowledge, and professional behavior and explore relationships between education, knowledge, and behavior.

METHODS

Survey data were collected from 220 ADA members in the United States. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed.

RESULTS

About half of the respondents agreed/strongly agreed that their dental school had educated them well about diagnosing DH in classroom-based (53.6%) and clinical settings (48.9%). Lower percentages agreed being well educated about treating DH (40.9%/37.3%). The majority self-educated themselves about DH after dental school by attending continuing education courses in person or online (60.6%/36.8%), reading articles (64.1%), or consulting with colleagues (59.6%). The majority knew that patients with DH describe their pain as stimulated (91.4%) and that recessed gingiva (89.6%), abrasion lesions (72.3%), tooth whitening (63.1%), erosion lesions (58.6%), and abfraction lesions (51.4%) are risk factors for DH. The majority diagnosed DH with patient self-reporting, confirmed by exams (81.8%), applying air blasts (53.7%), or cold-water (52.3%). They treated patients with DH often/very often with over-the-counter desensitizing agents (90%), and prescribing fluoride formulations toothpaste (82.8%) and/or potassium nitrate toothpastes (60.9%). In their offices, the majority (73.2%) educated their patients often/very often about DH and used fluoride dental varnish for treating DH (71.8%). The more recently respondents had graduated from dental school, the more positively they described their dental school education (r = 0.14; p < 0.05), the more ways to diagnose DH they used (r = 0.16; p < 0.05) and the more often they used fluoride dental varnish in their offices (r = 0.23; p < 0.001). The more dentists had educated themselves, the more methods for diagnosing DH they used (r = 0.23; p < 0.001) and the more often they used potassium oxalate products (r = 0.19; p < 0.01), Arginine/calcium products (r = 0.19; p < 0.01) and dentin bonding (r = 0.22; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

More recently graduating from dental school correlates with more positive evaluations of DH-related dental school education. The finding that most dentists engage in self-education about DH after dental school should motivate dental educators to increase education about this topic not only in dental school, but also in continuing education courses.

The prevalence and predictive factors of dentine hypersensitivity among adults in Turkey

AIM

This study sought to determine the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) among adults in Turkey. Also, to ascertain the association between DH and both etiological predictors and demographic patient characteristics.

MATERIAL METHOD

Using a questionnaire and thermal and evaporative tests, 259 women and 209 men in the age range of 18 to 72 were analyzed. Individually, a clinical evaluation of DH signs was conducted. The DMFT index, gingival index, and gingival bleeding were reported for each subject. The gingival recession and tooth wear of sensitive teeth were also evaluated. Pearson Chi-square test was used to compare categorical data. Logistic Regression Analysis was used to examine the risk factors of DH. Data with dependent categorical variables were compared using the McNemar-Browker test. The significance level was p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The average age of the population was 35.6 years. In the present study, a total of 12,048 teeth were analyzed. 1755 had thermal hypersensitivity (14.57%), while 470 experienced evaporative hypersensitivity (3.9%). The incisors were the teeth most impacted by DH, whereas the molars were the least affected. Exposure to cold air and sweet foods, gingival recession, and the presence of noncarious cervical lesions were all strongly linked to DH (Logistic regression analysis, p < 0.05). The cold stimulus increases sensitivity more than the evaporation stimulus.

CONCLUSION

Significant risk factors for both thermal and evaporative DH include cold air, consumption of sweet food, presence of noncarious cervical lesions, and gingival recession. More epidemiological research in this area is still required to fully characterize the risk factors and implement the most effective preventive interventions.

Effect of a modified adhesive system with encapsulated arginine and calcium carbonate on dentin permeability

To modify an adhesive system with halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) containing arginine and calcium carbonate and to evaluate their cytocompatibility, viscosity and efficacy in reducing dentin permeability. HNTs containing arginine and calcium carbonate were incorporated into the primer and adhesive of a three-step adhesive system (SBMP), and their viscosity was measured. Discs (n = 4/group) were prepared: SBMP (control), HNT-PR (modified primer), HNT-ADH (modified adhesive) and HNT-PR + ADH (modified primer and adhesive) were evaluated regarding cell death and viability. Dentin discs were prepared and randomly assigned into the following treatments (n = 10): NC (no treatment), SBMP, HNT-PR, HNT-ADH, HNT-PR + ADH and COL (Colgate® Sensitive Pro-relief™ prophylaxis paste). After, they were submitted to an erosive-abrasive cycling. Dentin permeability (hydraulic conductance) was evaluated at baseline, 24 h after treatment and after cycling. Both the modified primer and adhesive showed significantly higher viscosity than their controls. Group HNT-PR resulted in significantly higher cytotoxicity when compared to SBMP and HNT-PR + ADH groups. Group HNT-ADH resulted in the highest cell viability compared to all other groups. All groups showed significantly lower dentin permeability when compared to the NC group. Post-cycling, SBMP and HNT-ADH groups showed significantly lower permeability when compared to COL group. The addition of encapsulated arginine and calcium carbonate did not affect the cytocompatibility of the materials nor their ability to reduce dentin permeability.

Impact of Pro-Argin on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A 24-Week Randomized, Parallel-Group, Multicenter Study

To assess the efficacy of Pro-Argin with respect to the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and cervical dentine hypersensitivity (CDH) in subjects with CDH for 24 weeks compared to a control group. Three study centers (one each in France, Germany, and Switzerland) included 273 subjects for 24 weeks. Patients with CDH involving at least two non-molar teeth and those with Schiff scores (cold air sensitivity scale) of 2 or 3 were included. The primary study parameter was a change in the OHRQoL from baseline to 24 weeks, as assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-49 questionnaire within and between the randomized groups. Patients were randomly assigned to the test group (TG) or the control group (CG). Prophylaxis paste and toothpaste in the TG contained 8% arginine and calcium carbonate. The toothpaste in the CG contained sodium monofluorophosphate. The level of significance was set at 5% (p = 0.05). The OHIP-49 at 24 weeks was analyzed using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The mean OHIP-49 score after 24 weeks (adjusted for baseline) was significantly lower in the TG than in the CG (p = 0.005, ANCOVA). The OHIP-49 pain-related items adjusted for the baseline values also showed significant differences between the groups (p = 0.025, ANCOVA). The treatment over a period of 24 weeks using products based on the Pro-Argin technology showed a significant improvement in the OHRQoL compared to the placebo application.

The prevalence, clinical features, and related factors of dentin hypersensitivity in the Turkish population

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and predisposing and etiologic factors of dentin hypersensitivity (DH), as well as the demographic characteristics of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 1210 patients were examined. The research was based on a two-step investigation: questionnaire and clinical examination. DH was evaluated by the response of the patient to tactile and air-blast stimuli. Loss of attachment and gingival recession of sensitive teeth was measured on the buccal and lingual surfaces. Also, the tooth wear of sensitive teeth was graded on the buccal and lingual surfaces. Comparisons of nonnormally distributed continuous variables were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunn's post hoc test. Comparisons of categorical variables were performed using Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact chi-square, Yates's chi-square, and the Monte Carlo chi-square test.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-four patients reported DH, showing a prevalence for self-reported DH of 10.2%. Eight hundred forty teeth were diagnosed as having DH, giving a clinical diagnosis rate of DH of 29.4%. Females (76.8%), the 31-40 years age group (26%), housewives (36.8%), and high school education level (38%) had the highest prevalence of DH as demographic properties. A cold stimulus was the most common stimuli trigger for hypersensitivity (97.1%). Occasional pain (55.5%) showed the highest prevalence in terms of frequency of DH. A higher rate of DH was found with the use of medium brushes (47.4%) and brushing twice per day (59.4%) for 1-2 min (56.2%) with the circular method (33.8%) as oral hygiene habits. The buccal surface of the lower right central incisors (5.7%) had the highest prevalence. The most affected teeth by DH were incisors (38.4%). The buccal surfaces (86.3%) of teeth showed a higher high prevalence of DH compared with the lingual surface (52.7%), similar to gingival recession (40.9% vs. 15.7%) and loss of attachment (68.3% vs. 42.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically diagnosed DH was more common than self-reported DH. Some factors related to patients such as sex (female), the 31-40 years age group, housewives, high school students, using medium brushes, brushing twice per day, and the circular brushing method were more likely to have a risk for DH. Also, buccal surfaces of teeth, gingival recession, and loss of attachment on the buccal surface of teeth should be considered as predisposing factors for DH.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To control and prevent DH, clinicians should consider patients' demographics, predisposing factors, and etiologic factors.

A Study of Dentists about Their Knowledge and Practice of Dentine Hypersensitivity

Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice about dentine hypersensitivity (DH) among dental practitioners.

Materials and Methods  A pilot-tested questionnaire was sent to practicing dentists ( n = 588) working in private and public sectors in Lahore, Pakistan. The questions assessed dentists’ knowledge about type of pain and predisposing factors of DH. The dentists were asked about their preferred methods of diagnosing and managing the condition.

Statistical Analysis  Basic statistics, chi-squared test, and multivariate logistic regression were performed.

Results  Most dentists (64.3%) reported examining one to five patients with DH per week in their dental clinics. A large majority (85.4%) indicated DH as a stimulated short pain from a tooth. Recession of gums (96.6%), aggressive brushing (88.2%), and frequent use of teeth whitening procedures (83.1%) were most frequently reported predisposing factors of DH. Among most commonly used methods of diagnosis, spontaneous pain after the application of air blast was reported by 74.8% of the participants and followed by spontaneous patient report confirmed by dental examination (57.7%). Most widely used management approaches of DH included the use of fluoride products (96.2%), use of desensitizing potassium nitrate toothpastes (75%), and application of bonding agents (56.2%). Female versus male dentists (odds ratio [OR]: 7.79, p < 0.001) and private practitioners versus public dentists (OR: 7.34, p < 0.001) were more likely to examine greater number of patients with DH.

Conclusion  Dentists used various methods for diagnosing and managing patients with DH. Application of air blast to evaluate spontaneous pain and use of fluoride products were most widely used diagnostic and management preferences, respectively.

Prevalence and predictive factors of dentin hypersensitivity in Brazilian adolescents

AIM

To measure the prevalence of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in adolescents.

METHODS

The diagnosis was based on self-report and was confirmed by tactile and evaporative tests. The association between DH and predictor factors was determined using a multivariate model. The sample consisted of 384 adolescents.

RESULTS

The prevalence was 19.0%. DH prevalence to tactile stimulus was higher in those participants whose toothbrush movement was vertical/horizontal (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.47-0.60, p < 0.001), in the presence of dental biofilm (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.94-3.09, p < 0.001), of non-carious cervical lesion (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 2.40-3.18, p < 0.001), of gingival recession (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.44-1.86, p < 0.001) and gyroversion (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.40-1.82; p < 0.001). When DH was diagnosed by evaporative stimulus, there was an association with brush movement in a vertical/horizontal direction (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.66-0.82, p < 0.001), with the use of mouthwash solutions (OR = 2.65, 95% CI = 2.16-3.25, p < 0.001), in the presence of non-carious cervical lesion (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.57-1.96, p < 0.001), of gyroversion (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.51-1.90, p < 0.001) and gingival recession (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.59-1.99, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of DH in the sample was worrying, since almost 1 in 5 adolescents had DH. Individuals with DH were more likely to report traumatic dental brushing, and presence of dental biofilm, non-carious cervical lesion, gingival recession and gyroversion in the affected teeth.

Associated factors to cervical dentin hypersensitivity in adults: a transversal study

Background

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the factors associated to the cervical dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in Brazilian adult population.

Methods

Three hundred and eighty patients (67.2% women and 32.8% men) were assessed by questionnaire and thermal test with ice. Participants marked in a visual analogue scale (VAS) the intensity of pain, and a calibrated examiner (ICC 0.990) measured the scores using a caliper. Pain scores above 0.5 mm were considered sensitive teeth. The DH associated factors were investigated by clinical examination. The association between variables was assessed by Spearman correlation and the Chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to determine the variables that predict DH (p < 0.05).

Results

The mean age of participants was 24.08 years. In this population, 8958 teeth were evaluated, of those 3037 (33.9%) were diagnosed sensitive. The most prevalent associated factors to DH were abnormal tooth positioning (9.0%), occlusal trauma (6.5%) and gingival recession (5.6%). The erosion predicted significantly the DH on both simple (OR 7.85, p < 0.001) and multiple(OR 4.36, p < 0.001) analysis.

Conclusion

The exposure of dentinal tubules by erosion is probably the major predictor of dentin hypersensitivity. The healthy tooth is able to protect against DH.

Evaluation and comparison of efficacy of three desensitizing dentifrices on dentinal hypersensitivity and salivary biochemical characteristics: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of three desensitizing dentifrices on dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) and salivary biochemical characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized, parallel arm, triple-blinded, clinical trial was conducted over a period of 12 weeks, with a total of three visits: baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Calcium sodium phosphosilicate, potassium nitrate and amine fluoride dentifrices were compared. A total of 68 subjects who satisfied the inclusion criteria were included and randomly divided into four groups. Visual analog scale scores for controlled air stimulus were used to assess dentinal sensitivity and salivary pH and buffering capacity were recorded at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

All groups showed a reduction in sensitivity scores at 6 and 12 weeks. The calcium sodium phosphosilicate group showed a higher degree of effectiveness in reducing DH than potassium nitrate, amine fluoride dentifrices, and placebo for sensitivity measures. Salivary pH of calcium sodium phosphosilicate group was more toward neutral, and the buffering capacity of the same group showed significant changes from baseline to 6 and 12 weeks compared to the other groups.

CONCLUSION

The desensitizing toothpaste containing calcium sodium phosphosilicate was found to be more effective in reducing DH and showed improvement in salivary biochemical characteristics over a period of 12 weeks compared to others.