Dentinal hypersensitivity

[Anonymous]

Treatment of Dentinal Hypersensitivity

Several approaches have been investigated for treating dentinal hypersensitivity. One option is simply to occlude the dentinal tubules through the use of a particulate toothpaste ingredient, such as abrasive silica. Hypothetically, even partial tubule occlusion could be of great benefit, since Poiseuille’s law holds that reducing the tubule radius by 50% reduces the flow through the tubule to 6.25% of its original value. However, the use of toothpastes containing silica particles is widespread, and does not appear to have substantially affected the prevalence of dentinal hypersensitivity. Therefore, any special toothpaste ingredient must demonstrate the ability to desensitize teeth to a statistically greater extent than the toothpaste alone. To date, only potassium nitrate has met this requirement. It is thought to act directly on the pulpal sensory nerves. After an initial depolarization of sensory nerve fiber membranes, excess potassium halts repolarization. Thus, the ability of potassium nitrate to quell dentinal hypersensitivity may be due to an irreversible depolarization.

Many products are available to treat dentinal hypersensitivity. Potassium nitrate-containing toothpastes include Aqua-fresh Sensitive, Colgate Sensitive, Crest Sensitivity Protection, Dental Care Sensitive Formula, Sensodyne Extra Whitening, and Sensodyne Fresh Mint. One toothpaste, Sensodyne Tartar Control Plus Whitening, also contains tartar control and whitening ingredients. Other products for sensitive teeth are Protect Sensitive Teeth Gel Toothpaste, Rembrandt Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, and Orajel Sensitive Pain Relieving Toothpaste for Adults. All of these toothpastes contain fluoride to strengthen dental enamel and protect against cavity formation.

A dentist can relieve dentinal hypersensitivity by applying fluoride paste, bonding agents or dentin sealer to the exposed root surface.