Abstract

ASSESSING THE VARIABLES RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING DENTINAL HYPERSENSITIVTY – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

*Gowri Shankar S., Sangeetha Chockalingam, Rachele Vishanti, Saravanan Velayutham and Vidya Krishnan

Abstract

Introduction: Dentinal hypersensitivity is one of the commonest complaints encountered in a dental practice. Various causative factors are responsible in exposing the dentinal tubules further manifesting as tooth pain. The most challenging aspect for a dentist is to rule out the possible factors and do responsible intervention at the appropriate time. Aim and objectives: To investigate the various etiological factors associated in patients who reported with the complaint of dentinal hypersensitivity and to assess whether any correlation exists between various factors and habits of the patients. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted comprising of 383 subjects (238 males and 145 females). A questionnaire was given to the patients which records the demographic data and the personal habits. A clinical examination was done along the questionnaire. The diagnosis was confirmed using a blast of air from the three way syringe and the subjective pain was recorded using a Visual Analogue Scale. Results: A significantly higher number of male patients reported with hypersensitivity and the mean age was found to be 37.65. A total of 49.6% of the patients reported with gingival recession and 72.8% had non carious tooth structure loss which includes attrition and abrasion. There was statistically significant relationship with adverse oral habits such as pan chewing and smoking with dentin hypersensitivity. Conclusion: Various factors like faulty tooth brushing, type of tooth bristles and habits like night grinding and clenching have contributed to wearing of the tooth surface which can result in dentin hypersensitivity. Habits like smoking, pan chewing, horizontal tooth brushing and unwanted usage of interproximal cleansing aids can result in clinical attachment loss which can elicit a sensitive tooth.

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