|
This study was undertaken to observe changes in dentinal hypersensitivity after scaling and root planing, and thereby provide the reference for determining start time of desensitizing procedures, if needed. In this experiment, ten patients who needed scaling and root planing to treat the gingivitis and beginning or moderate periodontitis. They had not experienced desensitizing treatments and did not have scaling and root planing in 6 months. Before scaling and root planing, probing depth, gingival recession, plaque index, sulcus bleeding index and calculus index were recorded. Then, hypersensitivity scores and electric pulp test (EPT) scores were taken from 232 teeth. Hypersensitivity score was the sum of pain scores to mechanical stimuli (probe tip), air blasts from dental syringe, and 7°C water stimuli. EPT scores were the scale of Vitality Scanner (Analytic Technology) when the patients first felt discomfort. And at next day, scaling and root planing was done with gracey curettes. Patients were instructed to brush their teeth by Modified-Bass method for three minutes twice a day with new toothbrush and new dentifrices which contains no desensitizing agents. At 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10, and 14 days after scaling and root planing the hypersensitivity scores and EPT scores were recorded. The following results were obtained. 1. Dentinal hypersensitivity increased significantly one day after scaling and root planing and continued for 2-3 days (P < 0.01). 2. Increased dentinal hypersensitivity after scaling and root planing decreased rapidly to 5th day and slowly thereafter (P < 0.01). 3. Changes in dentinal hypersensitivity may be estimated with relative accuracy by cold water stimulus. 4. Dentinal hypersensitivity may not be estimated by electric pulp testers.
|