Diagnosis of Dentine Hypersensitivity: Is it time to redefine our Terminology? A Personal View

Abstract

Ideally classification systems should facilitate both accurate and reproducible definitions to avoid any misdiagnosis and/or subsequent inappropriate treatment. Historically the clinical diagnosis of Dentine Hypersensitivity has been a diagnosis of exclusion based on the Martin Addy’s 1985 definition of DH as “pain derived from exposed dentine in response to chemical, thermal, tactile or osmotic stimuli which cannot be explained as arising from any other dental defect or pathology” (Addy et al. 1985, Dowell et al. 1985, Addy 2000). This definition was subsequently modified by the Canadian Board on DH (Canadian Consensus Document 2003) which suggested that ‘disease’ is a more appropriate term than ‘pathology’. Essentially this definition enables the clinician to have a clear picture of diagnosing pain symptoms from other dental conditions. The key words being “which cannot be explained as arising from any other dental defect or disease” which should ideally eliminate pain arises, for example from dental caries, post operative sensitivity (including bleaching sensitivity, cracked tooth syndrome), molar incisor hypomineralisation or other types of facial pain. The aim of this review, therefore, is assess whether clinicians are consistent in their diagnosis of orofacial pain (including dental pain).