Cervical dentin hypersensitivity. Part I: The air indexing method

The purpose of this article is to introduce an objective method for quantif ying cervical dentin hypersensitivity. Air emissions from a standard air-wa ter syringe or a syringe with a Fluid Control Block are directed toward the cervices of teeth at a 45-degree angle to the long axis of test teeth from a distance of 0.5 cm for 0.5 to 1.0 second. An air indexing method has bee n developed to quantity threshold patient response values for individual te eth to this defined air stimulus. The air indexing method, using the Fluid Control Block, offers the clinician objective information to compare cervic al dentin hypersensitivity before and after treatment for this common, pain ful condition.