Hypersensitive teeth: conventional versus laser treatment, part I: conventional treatment of dentin hypersensitivity

Dentin hypersensitivity is the most frequent complaint among reported odontalgias. It is character- ized by a sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to thermal, tactile, chemical and/or osmotic stimuli. The enamel or cementum which normally covers the dentin surface may be removed by attrition from occlusal wear, abfractions, abrasive tooth brushing, erosion from acidic diet, gingival recession, or tooth preparation for restorative treatment. Alternatively, in some individuals the cementum and enamel which normally cover the dentin do not meet, and dentin is thus exposured as a result of a developmental anomally. The pain response also varies substantially from one person to another. This review article describes the etiology, epidemiology, assess- ment, and conventional treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.