Management of Dentin Hypersensitivity

Abstract

A PubMed literature research was undertaken by the author using various MeSH terms: (“therapy”[Subheading] OR “therapy”[All Fields] OR “treatment”[All Fields] OR “therapeutics”[MeSH Terms] OR “therapeutics”[All Fields]) AND (“organization and administration”[MeSH Terms] OR (“organization”[All Fields] AND “administration”[All Fields]) OR “organization and administration”[All Fields] OR “management”[All Fields] OR “disease management”[MeSH Terms] OR (“disease”[All Fields] AND “management”[All Fields]) OR “disease management”[All Fields]) AND (“dentin sensitivity”[MeSH Terms] OR (“dentin”[All Fields] AND “sensitivity”[All Fields]) OR “dentin sensitivity”[All Fields] OR (“dentin”[All Fields] AND “hypersensitivity”[All Fields]) OR “dentin hypersensitivity”[All Fields]). This search strategy generated a large number of papers on the topic of dentin hypersensitivity (DH); however, there were limited data on management strategies that could be successfully implemented in clinical practice. Although there have been a number of treatment paradigms published in the literature, there is a need for simple pragmatic guidelines to be recommended to the clinician in order to successfully manage the condition in the clinical environment. Furthermore, despite the published claims of clinical efficacy for both in-office and over-the-counter products there does not appear to be one ideal desensitizing agent than can be recommended to be used for the condition. The importance of educating both the clinician and the patient in the identification, prevention, and management of DH is paramount if the condition is to be successfully monitored and treated.