Diagnosis and management of dentine sensitivity

According to Addy et al (1985) and the Canadian Advisory Board on Dentine Hypersensitivity (2003), dentine sensitivity (DS) may be defined as ‘pain derived from exposed dentine in response to chemical, thermal, tactile or osmotic stimuli which cannot be explained as arising from any other dental defect or disease.’

Of the stimuli evoking pain described in the published literature, cold air or fluids are most commonly cited by patients. From a clinical perspective the definition of DS is essential when treating the condition and may be considered in relation to 1) its importance as a clinical descriptor and as such its relevance to making a diagnosis and 2) its importance in encouraging the clinician to consider a differential diagnosis in order to rule out other causes of tooth pain.