Prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity among adult patients attending a dental hospital clinic in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and to examine some associated factors such as the initiating stimuli among adult patients attending the Restorative Clinic of the Kirikkale University Dental Faculty, Turkey.

METHODS

Questionnaires for 1169 patients, 678 men and 491 women, were completed and necessary clinical examinations performed during a one-year period and patients who were diagnosed with DH were questioned further about their occupation and smoking habits. Patients with at least two different quadrants which had sensitive teeth with sound exposed cervical dentine on the facial surface, were included in the study. The amount of cervical lesions, buccal gingival recession and initiating factors associated with the sensitive teeth were also recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 1169 patients examined, 89 were diagnosed as having dentine hypersensitivity, giving a prevalence of 7.6%. The commonest teeth affected were the upper premolars and the commonest initiating factor was cold drinks.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in a postgraduate clinic in Turkey was 7.6%. The commonest teeth affected were the upper premolar and the commonest initiating factor was cold drinks.