Dentin hypersensitivity monitored by cold air quantitative sensory testing

Abstract

Background

Quantification of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is challenging and requires standardized, graded stimulation by natural‐like stimuli.

Objective

The present study aimed at identifying DH subjects and longitudinally monitoring their pain thresholds by cold air quantitative sensory testing (QST).

Methods

Subject recruitment started with an online DH questionnaire. Respondents were screened by dental air stimulation. Sensitizing and habituating subjects were excluded. A recently developed stimulation device was employed for cold air QST. Single tooth DH was verified by applying an equi‐intense stimulus to a control tooth. Descriptive statistics were applied for subject characteristics. Mean values were calculated for the stimulation parameters temperature and air flow. Reliability of temperatures for detecting pain and for evoking moderate pain over multiple time points within a three weeks period were analyzed by two‐way random single and average measures intra‐class correlation coefficients.

Results

353 persons completed the online DH questionnaire of which 117 were screened. 44 passed the screening, yet 15 were excluded for various reasons. 29 subjects were monitored by QST across three weeks. Results revealed a high intra‐individual stability of the temperature inducing moderate to strong pain intensity (MPI) (single measures ICC of T_MPI 0.83, p < 0.001). Mean T_MPI was ‐13.69 °C, yet it highly varied among the 29 subjects (SD±10.04 °C).

Conclusions

Using a novel approach, namely dental QST based on cold air stimuli, we present evidence for temporally stable DH perceptions over a three weeks period. The method fulfills international guideline requirements and is recommendable for obtaining valid results when testing various interventions for DH management.

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