ETIOLOGY, PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL-FEATURES OF CERVICAL DENTIN SENSITIVITY

Cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS) is a painful response to thermal, p hysical or chemical stimulation of the cervical area of the tooth. The reported prevalence of this clinical condition ranges from 8 to 35% d epending on the population studied and methodology used to evaluate CD S. Detailed epidemiology is lacking with regard to possible causal fac tors. Well conducted studies in larger populations using accepted stan dardized methodology for both questionnaire and clinical examination a re essential if these factors are to be identified and the condition s uccessfully prevented and treated. This paper reviews current literatu re on the prevalence, aetiology and oral distribution of this troubles ome condition.