The reproducibility of methods of assessment for cervical dentine hypersensitivity

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Abstract
Many agents and toothpaste formulations have been proposed for treatment of dentine hypersensitivity. However, studies have reported equivocal or contradictory results, potentially related to a lack of clinical efficacy for agents being tested, poor study design or the use of assessment techniques which are unable to distinguish longitudinal changes in dentine hypersensitivity. To investigate the reproducibility of commonly used measurement protocols for dentine hypersensitivity on single or multiple teeth. In addition, newly-developed controlled air and cold fluid stimuli were investigated. Standardised pain stimulation techniques were used in 2 investigations with 63 and 42 subjects, respectively. The reproducibility of perceived hypersensitivity before and following stimulation was recorded over time periods of 14 and 2 days, respectively, using visual analogue scales and threshold techniques. Subject demographics resembled those reported in other hypersensitivity investigations. Analysis using several measures of reproducibility indicated that subject-based reproducibility was limited, even when the stimuli were standardised. However, the data are consistent with the findings of investigations on pain assessment in other fields. The reproducibility of subjects in clinical trials of dentine hypersensitivity may therefore contribute to difficulties in establishing treatment efficacy of agents in clinical trials.

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