PREVALENCE OF CERVICAL DENTIN SENSITIVITY IN A POPULATION OF PATIENTSREFERRED TO A SPECIALIST PERIODONTOLOGY DEPARTMENT

The reported prevalence of cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS) ranges f rom 8 to 35%. Detailed epidemiology of the condition, particularly wit h regard to possible causal factors, is lacking. In particular, no pub lished data appear to exist on its prevalence in periodontal patients. The aim of the present study was therefore to determine the prevalenc e, distribution and severity of CDS in a population of patients referr ed to a Periodontology Department of a specialist postgraduate hospita l. 507 patients (181 M; 326F, mean age 44.2 (SD 10.31) years) attendin g a periodontal clinic were assessed for CDS by a questionnaire. The r esults demonstrated a prevalence of CDS of 84% with no significant gen der difference. 71.1% of patients perceived cold as the most common ca use of discomfort. A higher prevalence of self-reported discomfort was observed between 40 and 49 years. Of the patients with a reported his tory of periodontal surgery (34.7%), those treated within 6 months pri or to assessment appeared to be more at risk to CDS. Of the patients w ho received hygienist treatment (88.2%), only 10.5% reported discomfor t persisting greater than or equal to 3 days after treatment. Generall y, patients who complained of varying degrees of discomfort over time (84.5%) did not perceive the condition as severe and consequently did not seek treatment. The prevalence of CDS in these referred patients w as very high, suggesting that periodontal diseases and/or treatment ef fects play a role in its aetiology.