PIE 3 unit 12 - Desensitization

Dentinal Sensitivity

• short sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to stimuli

Which area is most common for Dentinal Sensitivity?

• canine and premolars

• buccal cervical zones

Dentinal structure

• composed of 70% inorganic material and 30% organic matter and water

• formed by odontoblasts along with DEJ and proceeding inwards to pulp chamber

Hydrodynamic mechanism

• fluid movement in dentinal tubules

• stimuli such as heat, cold or air blasts

Sclerosis of dentin

• mineral deposition in tubules due to traumatic stimuli

• results in a smaller diameter tubule that is less able to transmit stimuli

Secondary dentin

gradually deposited on floor and roof of pulp chamber to create a wall b/w dentinal tubules and pulp

Dentinal hypersensitivity

sharp, brief, localized and transient pain

Pulpal pain

recurring episodes of severe, intermittent and throbbing pain

Dental conditions with similar pain symptoms as dentinal sensitvity:

• defective restoration with marginal leakage

• fractured or chipped teeth or resto

• dental caries

• sensitivity after resto tx

• imcomplete polymerization of restorative materials

Tactile (Mechanical) stimuli

direct contact/ friction

Chemical stimuli

acidity

Thermal stimuli

temp changes

Evaporative stimuli

dehydration of oral fluids

Osmotic stimuli

change in pressure within tubules due to concentration of salts and sugars

Nerve inactivators

reduces nerve impulse transmission

Tubule obtundants

block opening of tubules

Protein precipitates

crystal formulation in dentinal fluid

MI paste

delivers calcium and phosphate to remineralize teeth

• contains milk

Duraflor

• 5% sodium FL varnish

Colgate sensitve pro relief

• potassium nitrate 5%

• contains arginine and calcium to plug the surface of the dentin tubules