Dentine sensitivity: past, present and future.

OBJECTIVE: This review defines dentine sensitivity (DS), its prevalence, its aetiology, the mechanism(s) responsible for DS, its diagnosis and its treatment. The review then examines the modes of action of various treatments for DS including potassium salts, strontium salts, bioglasses, arginine/calcium carbonate and professional treatments such as adhesives and oxalates. The methods used to evaluate the various treatment modalities are discussed, including laboratory studies and randomised controlled clinical trials. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid Medline and Cochrane reviews for information on DS and its treatments, as well as laboratory and clinical studies used to evaluate the efficacy of various DS treatments. With regard to efficacy of treatments for DS only reports of clinical studies that were randomised, controlled and blinded were reviewed. The authors offer new insights into the shortcomings of the recent systematic review of the use of oxalates for DS. CONCLUSION: The authors introduce the concept of a novel desensitising mouthrinse containing 1.4% potassium oxalate: Listerine® Advanced Defence Sensitive mouthrinse. Readers of this supplement issue of the Journal of Dentistry are invited to review the significance of managing the clinical problem of DS. They are also invited to assess data from laboratory and randomised controlled clinical studies in order to understand the advantages offered by regular use of 1.4% potassium oxalate-containing mouthrinse, Listerine Advanced Defence Sensitive, in particular its resistance to daily erosive and/or abrasive challenges.

Making sense of sensitivity.

UNLABELLED: Our professional understanding of the causes and treatment options for dentine hypersensitivity should now allow the dental profession to manage this condition reliably. This paper reviews the aetiology and explains the scientific basis for what has become a confusing number of products and methods available to patients and dental clinicians. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dentine hypersensitivity appears to be an increasing problem for patients and the dental profession alike. Clinicians need to have up-to-date knowledge of this condition and the products available to treat patients presenting with this troublesome complaint.