CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF CERVICAL DENTIN SENSITIVITY IN A POPULATION OFPATIENTS REFERRED TO A SPECIALIST PERIODONTOLOGY DEPARTMENT - A PILOT-STUDY

The prevalence of tooth sensitivity [Cervical Dentine Sensitivity (CDS )I in adult populations indicates that 8-35% of subjects reported CDS depending on the population studied and the methodology used. Few stud ies, however, have reported on the prevalence of CDS in periodontal pa tients. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, severity and distribution of CDS in patients referred for specialist periodont al diagnosis. Fifty-one patients [27 male, 24 female; mean age 48.5 ye ars (standard deviation 11.63)] who gave their informed written consen t were clinically evaluated for CDS using recognized methods of assess ment, namely Yeaple(R) probe, cold air blast and subjective evaluation . Other clinical variables (e.g. plaque and recession scores) were als o recorded at this visit. Regression analysis and correlation coeffici ents were used to determine the relationship between the clinical vari ables. The results demonstrated a prevalence of CDS ranging between 72 .5 and 98% of patients, with no significant gender difference. Results for the distribution of tooth types showed that molar teeth were main ly affected, followed by left canines and premolars. No correlation wa s noted between plaque, recession, response to tactile or thermal stim ulation. Pain response from tactile and thermal stimulation showed no significant difference between tooth surfaces. Cold stimulation was pe rceived to be the dominant pain-producing stimulus as had been previou sly reported. The results of this investigation support those from ano ther study, which found the prevalence of CDS to be higher in periodon tal patients than has been reported elsewhere. This finding would sugg est that previous periodontal treatment and/or periodontal disease may play a role in the aetiology of CDS.