The prevalence of tooth hypersensitivity following periodontal therapy with special reference to root scaling. A systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE

To provide a current status of the art, answering the question whether a certain procedure of periodontal treatment is more reliable than another and where innovative developments could improve on the incidence of hypersensitivity by a systematic literature review.

METHODS

Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane library were considered for the study. 2,656 articles of the PubMed search were found, from the beginning of 1945 until April 2011. 99 articles from PubMed were evaluated for this review. From Embase, 60 articles were selected and one was included in this review. From the Cochrane library, 182 were found, of which two contributed to the review. Included were all studies dealing with periodontal treatment followed by hypersensitivity and all studies dealing with the loss of attachment, followed by hypersensitivity. Excluded were any treatments of tooth hypersensitivity with pathogenesis not related to dentin exposure, genetically caused disorders, and fractures. Ultimately, 102 papers were evaluated, included and referred to in the review.

RESULTS

The term "tooth hypersensitivity" is most often used. Common causes of loss of hard substance are listed and updated. Mechanical loss of hard tissue formed one group of etiological factors; gingival recession and loss of attachment another. Surgical interventions, scaling and root planing were considered and in most cases performed as combined procedures. The different methods were evaluated and critically discussed. There were no properly randomized studies in the literature. The weak point of all epidemiological studies is the lack of any objective measurement. With respect to periodontal therapy, further research and developmental work on medical devices is needed, as well as ongoing applied research with laser technologies, continuing education and training programs for professionals.