Clinical evaluation of dentinal hypersensitivity: A comparison of methods

Clinical methods to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of treatments for dentinal hypersensitivity are based on two different principles: scalar rating of the intensity of pain perceived by a subject in response lo a constant stimulus, and measurement in physical parameters of the quantity of stimulus applied to achieve a constant endpoint response. Traditional scalar rating methods often lead to large placebo effects and are generally inaccurate and difficult to reproduce across laboratories because of the large number of variables involved in pain perception. To overcome this difficulty, a variable stimulus‐fixed end‐point response method was developed based on the controlled application of an electrical stimulus to the crowns of teeth with the endpoint being a sensation defined as warmth or tingling. The electrical stimulus procedure correlates highly with the traditional methods of cold air application and individual subjective evaluation. Advantages include pain avoidance, high precision and clinical practicality.