Skip to content
naulon

No retraction, correction or concern found when last checked on Oct 29, 2026.

Dentin hypersensitivity: pain mechanisms and aetiology of exposed cervical dentin

N. X. West, A. Lussi, J. Seong and 1 more

Clinical Oral Investigations · 2012 · Review · CC BY

doi:10.1007/s00784-012-0887-x

Abstract

Objectives The paper’s aim is to review dentin hypersensitivity (DHS), discussing pain mechanisms and aetiology. Materials and methods Literature was reviewed using search engines with MESH terms, DH pain mechanisms and aetiology (including abrasion, erosion and periodontal disease). Results The many hypotheses proposed for DHS attest to our lack of knowledge in understanding neurophysiologic mechanisms, the most widely accepted being the hydrodynamic theory. Dentin tubules must be patent from the oral environment to the pulp. Dentin exposure, usually at the cervical margin, is due to a variety of processes involving gingival recession or loss of enamel, predisposing factors being periodontal disease and treatment, limited alveolar bone, thin biotype, erosion and abrasion. Conclusions The current pain mechanism of DHS is thought to be the hydrodynamic theory. The initiation and progression of DHS are influenced by characteristics of the teeth and periodontium as well as the oral environment and external influences. Risk factors are numerous often acting synergistically and always influenced by individual susceptibility. Clinical relevance Whilst the pain mechanism of DHS is not well understood, clinicians need to be mindful of the aetiology and risk factors in order to manage patients’ pain and expectations and prevent further dentin exposure with subsequent sensitivity.

References 163

  1. 1.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.3109/00016357509004629

  2. 2.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0003-9969(76)80003-9

  3. 3.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0079-6123(08)63000-9

  4. 4.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0074-7742(08)60677-7

  5. 5.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  6. 6.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  7. 7.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  8. 8.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  9. 9.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  10. 10.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  11. 11.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0300-5712(87)90045-5

  12. 12.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  13. 13.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1983.tb01284.x

  14. 14.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  15. 15.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  16. 16.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  17. 17.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0030-4220(63)90201-9

  18. 18.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  19. 19.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  20. 20.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0003-9969(88)90051-9

  21. 21.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  22. 22.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  23. 23.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  24. 24.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  25. 25.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0099-2399(84)80182-x

  26. 26.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  27. 27.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  28. 28.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  29. 29.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  30. 30.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0030-4220(66)90411-7

  31. 31.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1177/00220345880670110401

  32. 32.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  33. 33.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1987.tb01533.x

  34. 34.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1989.tb01639.x

  35. 35.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  36. 36.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0003-9969(94)90193-7

  37. 37.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  38. 38.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  39. 39.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1177/00220345690480021001

  40. 40.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-0765.1993.tb01051.x

  41. 41.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  42. 42.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1038/nn1139

  43. 43.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  44. 44.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  45. 45.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0003-9969(86)90093-2

  46. 46.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1177/00220345760550041601

  47. 47.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.3109/00016359209012764

  48. 48.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1177/10454411960070020101

  49. 49.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1152/physrev.1970.50.2.171

  50. 50.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  51. 51.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.3109/00016359409029030

  52. 52.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1902/jop.2004.75.10.1377

  53. 53.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1997.tb00492.x

  54. 54.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1902/jop.1967.38.4.316

  55. 55.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0300-5712(84)90003-4

  56. 56.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0300-5712(01)00035-5

  57. 57.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1902/jop.1992.63.6.489

  58. 58.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1994.tb00278.x

  59. 59.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.29.s3.10.x

  60. 60.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1982.tb02106.x

  61. 61.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  62. 62.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1993.tb00696.x

  63. 63.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.2002.290815.x

  64. 64.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1994.tb00285.x

  65. 65.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1997.tb00224.x

  66. 66.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  67. 67.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1902/jop.1998.69.2.165

  68. 68.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.2002.290207.x

  69. 69.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  70. 70.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  71. 71.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.14219/jada.archive.1980.0295

  72. 72.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  73. 73.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  74. 74.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1875-595x.2003.tb00771.x

  75. 75.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-0765.1978.tb00193.x

  76. 76.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-0765.1979.tb00227.x

  77. 77.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  78. 78.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  79. 79.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1875-595x.2003.tb00768.x

  80. 80.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1996.tb00601.x

  81. 81.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1902/jop.1993.64.9.900

  82. 82.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  83. 83.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1046/j.1365-2842.1999.00436.x

  84. 84.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1046/j.1365-2842.2002.00812.x

  85. 85.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  86. 86.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.2009.01398.x

  87. 87.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.ajodo.2003.12.026

  88. 88.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-0757.2008.00253.x

  89. 89.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1984.tb00911.x

  90. 90.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  91. 91.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  92. 92.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.ajodo.2007.02.054

  93. 93.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1007/s00056-002-0033-5

  94. 94.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1601-6343.2010.01491.x

  95. 95.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  96. 96.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  97. 97.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1007/s00784-007-0154-8

  98. 98.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1002/ajpa.10210

  99. 99.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  100. 100.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000093363

  101. 101.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.2341/08-100

  102. 102.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000093344

  103. 103.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.14219/jada.archive.1962.0187

  104. 104.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1875-595x.2005.tb00063.x

  105. 105.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1365-2842.1992.tb01086.x

  106. 106.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.jdent.2011.10.010

  107. 107.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.2000.027002099.x

  108. 108.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  109. 109.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.archoralbio.2007.06.004

  110. 110.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.jdent.2009.03.005

  111. 111.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1177/00220345760550040301

  112. 112.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.2003.00367.x

  113. 113.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.2002.291004.x

  114. 114.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1038/sj.bdj.4804430

  115. 115.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000148160

  116. 116.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1007/s00784-009-0288-y

  117. 117.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.2005.00857.x

  118. 118.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-051x.1987.tb01517.x

  119. 119.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  120. 120.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1007/s00784-007-0179-z

  121. 121.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000093343

  122. 122.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0003-9969(94)90186-4

  123. 123.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-0722.2010.00763.x

  124. 124.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1007/s00784-004-0262-7

  125. 125.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1601-0825.1997.tb00042.x

  126. 126.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1708-8240.1991.tb00799.x

  127. 127.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1365-2842.2010.02162.x

  128. 128.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.14219/jada.archive.2005.0113

  129. 129.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1177/154405910608500405

  130. 130.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  131. 131.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  132. 132.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.3109/00016359009033627

  133. 133.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0003-9969(92)90087-o

  134. 134.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  135. 135.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  136. 136.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  137. 137.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0099-2399(79)80060-6

  138. 138.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0300-5712(03)00048-4

  139. 139.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.2002.290411.x

  140. 140.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000016604

  141. 141.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1017/s0007114511002820

  142. 142.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1034/j.1600-051x.2001.028004319.x

  143. 143.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  144. 144.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1046/j.1365-2842.1998.00339.x

  145. 145.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1038/sj.bdj.4804588

  146. 146.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  147. 147.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  148. 148.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  149. 149.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  150. 150.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/0003-9969(85)90185-2

  151. 151.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1365-2842.1989.tb01315.x

  152. 152.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1902/jop.1988.59.4.222

  153. 153.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1177/154411130201300207

  154. 154.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  155. 155.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  156. 156.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0300-5712(97)00025-0

  157. 157.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0003-9969(03)00007-4

  158. 158.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-0722.2004.00180.x

  159. 159.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000080586

  160. 160.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000093355

  161. 161.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library10.1159/000047458

  162. 162.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

  163. 163.

    This reference’s wording can’t be shown under the paper’s licence.

    Not in our library

Cited by papers we hold 2

Reads

Read by people on this page

None yet.

Checked or read by AI through naulon

None yet.

A person counts once a day per paper. We keep no cookie and no address: a reader is a hash that changes every day. Any month under five reads shows no number.

Are you an author?

Is this your paper?

Claim it to add your note and be paid when agents cite it. Free.