Dentine Hypersensitivity and its Impact on OH-QoL in Periodontal Patients

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and impact of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) on oral health-related quality of life (OH-QoL) in patients receiving supportive periodontal care (SPC).

Methods: 41 patients under SPC (≥6 months) at a periodontal clinic in Hong Kong were recruited to assess the prevalence of DH and impact of DH on OH-QoL. Subjects were categorized into those who self-reported DH (DH1) and those who did not (DH0) over the previous 6 months. Impact of DH on OH-QoL was assessed using the Chinese version of the Condition Specific Oral Impact on Daily Performance (CS-OIDP) questionnaire. Clinical evaluation included a 1-second air-blow test, from an air-syringe with an output of 90psi and mean temperature of 21±1°C, held 5mm from the tooth, and tactile stimulation using a pressure-sensitive probe with forces ranging from 10g-50g on the cervical region. Perceived severity of DH was recorded using a 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Results: 24 (58.5%) subjects self-reported DH while 17 (41.5%) did not. Of these 24 subjects, 22 (91.7%) had clinically detectable DH with a mean air-blow VAS of 18.7±19.7mm and mean tactile stimulation VAS 3.9±5.6mm. Of the 17 subjects in the DH0 group, 5 (29.4%) had clinically detectable DH with a mean air-blow VAS of 4.7±2.8mm and mean tactile stimulation VAS of 4.1±5.9mm. Among the 24 DH1 subjects, 14 (58.3%) reported an impact of DH on OH-QoL, with a mean CS-OIDP score of 7.7±10.4%. None in the DH0 group reported any impact. Positive associations between air-blow VAS scores and CS-OIDP scores (P=0.038) as well as between tactile stimulation VAS scores and air-blow VAS scores (P=0.002) were found.

Conclusions: Prevalence of DH is high among periodontally treated subjects undergoing SPC. DH impacts oral health-related quality of life in affected patients, and the extent of impact is positively associated with severity of DH.