The Prevalence of Dentine Hypersensitivity and Gingival Recession among Jordanian Patients at JUST Dental Teaching Center

H Kamal,M M Hammad,R O Abu Hantash,D Q Taani

doi:10.4236/ojst.2014.411067

Abstract

Aims: to determine the prevalence of gingival recession and dentine hypersensitivity among the study population, and evaluate the distribution of dentine hypersensitivity among various types of teeth in mild, moderate and severe degrees of gingival recession. Relationship between the severity of gingival recession and dentine hypersensitivity was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: Clinical examination was conducted on six hundred and seventy-six patients (283 males and 393 females). Their ages ranged from 18 to 74 years old (mean 35.4, SD = 11.2). A valid and reliable questionnaire was filled by the participated patients. Results: The prevalence of gingival recession was 79.0%, and the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity within the patients with gingival recession was 23.6%. The most common teeth affected by dentine hypersensitivity were the lower incisors. Dentine hypersensitivity was more commonly found in teeth with mild recession. Conclusion: Increased gingival recession does not necessarily mean increased incidence of dentine hypersensitivity.

Highlights

Gingival recession is a phenomenon where the location of the gingival marginal tissue is apical to the Cementoenamel junction (CEJ) with exposure of the root surface [1]
Dentine hypersensitivity is a short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to stimuli, typically thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic or chemical and which cannot be ascribed to any other dental defect or pathology [23]
Of the 676 subjects, gingival recession was evident in 534 subjects, i.e. prevalence was 79.0%

Summary

Introduction

Gingival recession is a phenomenon where the location of the gingival marginal tissue is apical to the Cementoenamel junction (CEJ) with exposure of the root surface [1]. In another study in the USA, Lohse et al [2] reported gingival recession prevalence of 75.0%. In a Finnish study, Vehkalahti [10] found that 68% of subjects aged 30 years or older had gingival recession. The reported prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity has varied according to the type of study as well as the population studied and has ranged from 4% to 74% [24]-[34]. Some studies have reported that gingival recession and subsequent root surface exposure allow more rapid and extensive exposure of dentinal tubules because the cementum layer overlying the root surface is thin and removed and could lead to dentine hypersensitivity [35]. Recession will uncover the root dentine but other cofactors are required to give rise to the open dentine tubules responsible for the pain experienced [36]-[38]

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