Dentin Hypersensitivity: Etiology & Pathogenesis

Dentin hypersensitivity is defined as pain derived from exposed dentin in response to chemical, thermal, tactile or osmotic stimuli which cannot be explained as arising from any other dental defect or disease. 14.3% of all dental patients, between 8% and 57% of adult dentate population, and up to 30% of adults at some time during their lifetime experience dentin hypersenitivity. Dentinal hypersensitivity has been shown to peak in 30 to 40 year olds and then rise again when in their 50s. Various clinical conditions thought to play a role in the development of DHS include enamel attrition and erosion, corrosion, abrasion and abfraction. Periodontal tissue loss or gingival recession is another major predisposing factor since this leads to exposure of cervical and root dentin. A variety of theories have been suggested to help explain the mechanism involved in the etiology of dentinal hypersensitivity. The transducer theory, the modulation theory, the "gate" control and vibration theory, and the hydrodynamic theory have all been presented and discussed throughout the years. None of these mechanisms full explain dentin hypersensitivity, indicating unexplained mechanisms are possibly responsible.

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