[Guideline for the diagnosis and management of dentin hypersensitivity].

The Chinese Journal of Dental Research The characteristics of DH can be understood by dental practitioners based on the diagnosis, management and treatment of the condition. This means conditions that present symptoms mimicking DH must be ruled out. This definition provides challenges for dentists given that they must consider other potential causes for pain associated with tooth sensitivity. In the diagnosis of DH, a differential diagnosis is essential as there are several other probable causes of similar symptoms. The exposed dentin can only be observed under the microscope while other dental diseases with symptoms of sensitivity, such as tooth fracture, decay or marginal leakage after filling can be observed clearly in the clinic. Patients with DH usually experience a short, sharp pain in response to the cold (the most common trigger), touch, evaporation, osmosis or chemical stimuli. The DH symptoms are often intermittent and sometimes self-healed. Now, there are specific and effective methods on the management and control of DH, which has been applied in oral health care services; and is different from those for other oral diseases, such as tooth fracture and marginal leakage after filling.