Treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity using a dentine bonding system

Aims and objectives: Many agents have been used in treatment of dentinal hy persensitivity in the past, but dentine bonding systems have recently been suggested as being effective. This study examined the effectiveness of a de ntine bonding system in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity in denta l practice conditions. Methods: Dentists in two dental practices agreed to carry out the project. One practice was in the UK, the other in India. A to tal of 34 patients who were diagnosed to have dentinal hypersensitivity wer e treated using the dentine bonding system. Patients were requested to reco rd their perception of their pain on a 100mm linear scale, pre-treatment, o ne day and one week post-treatment. Results: All patients experienced relie f of pain, both 1 day and 1 week after treatment. Profile plots of the pati ents' perceived pain scores for the two practices separately indicated that there was a general trend across both practices for these to fall quite sh arply one day after treatment and then generally level out one week post-tr eatment. There was evidence indicating a possible difference in pain percep tion in the two communities from which the patients were drawn. Conclusion: The dentine bonding system evaluated was successful in reducing the pain o f dentinal hypersensitivity, at least in the short term.