Dentin hypersensitivity after manual and ultrasonic scaling

 This study aimed to evaluate the dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) after manual and ultrasonic scaling.

 In this study 900 teeth were assessed. Plaque index and gingival recession were measured. Prior to scaling and root planning (SRP), DH was measured clinically using a periodontal probe and air jet. The patients reported the discomfort using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Later the teeth in the two opposite quadrants were manually scaled and the other two quadrants were ultrasonically scaled. After 2 weeks, DH was reevaluated with the same two methods. The data were analyzed using the SPSS.

 The DH of 900 teeth in 34 patients was included. 67.6% (23) of participants reported pre-scaling DH and 85.3% (29) experienced post-scaling DH. The prevalence of DH had no significant difference before and after SRP in manual group and ultrasonic group. Also, after SRP, no significant difference was observed between manual and ultrasonic scaling.

 Manual and ultrasonic methods did not increase DH after SRP compared to baseline. Post-scaling DH was not significantly different between the manual and ultrasonic SRP. DH was related to gingival recession. So that, pre-and post- scaling DH were higher in patients with gingival recession.