Define dentine hypersensitivity
Short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to stimuli
What is needed to exclude other causes of pain? (1)
Differential diagnosis
What are the leading causes of dentine hypersensitivity? (2)
- Gum recession
2. Tooth wear/ enamel loss
List ways enamel can be lost (3)
- Attrition
- Abrasion
- Erosion
What % of dentine hypersensitivity is caused by gum recession?
84%
How does gum recession lead to dentine hypersensitivity?
Cementum is exposed and quickly lost, exposing dentine
Define lesion localisation
- Gum recedes slightly and dentine is exposed
- Not all exposed dentine is sensitive due to the smear layer
Define lesion initiation
- Gum recedes and dentinal tubules are open to the oral cavity and pulp
- The smear layer/tubular plug is removed
List the steps in which a stimulus lead to hypersensitivity pain? (5)
- Stimulus
- Dentinal fluid moves
- Fluid excites:
- Pressure sensitive nerve receptors
- Nerve fibres
- Action potential - Excited nerves reach the brain
- PAIN
List forms of pain that can affect the mouth (3)
Joint pain
Sinus pain
Dental pain
What kind of sinus pain can cause pain in teeth?
Sinus cavity in jawbone above roots of upper molar
State methods to desensitise dentine (2)
- Block tubules
2. Nerve desensitisation
Describe the process of mechanism for toothpastes (2)
- Form a smear layer and plugs the dentine tubule opening
2. Increases the formation of intertubular + tertiary dentine
Describe the process of mechanism for a nerve desensitising toothpaste
Stops the nerve firing
Function of stannous fluoride within toothpaste
- Blocks dentine tubules by forming a plug
- Stops fluid moving
- Antibacterial properties help control plaque
Function of potassium nitrate within toothpaste (2)
- Decreases nerve excitability
- Potassium salts depolarise nerve cells, inhibiting them from sending nerve impulses to the brain, therefore preventing pain
State a similarity between hydroxyapatite and dentine
Similar organic chemical composition
