# Dentin Hypersensitivity and Gingival Recession: Impact of Root Surface Coverage—A Retrospective Study

## TL;DR

This study found that covering exposed root surfaces through surgery significantly reduces dentin hypersensitivity in patients with gum recession.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that successful root surface coverage after surgery is strongly linked to reduced dentin hypersensitivity.

## Key findings

- 93.2% of treated teeth showed suppressed dentin hypersensitivity six months post-surgery.
- Complete root surface coverage was achieved in 69.6% of teeth without hypersensitivity, compared to 0% in teeth with persistent hypersensitivity.
- Mean root surface coverage was significantly higher in teeth without hypersensitivity (88.3%) than in those with hypersensitivity (62.6%).

## Abstract

To assess whether root surface coverage after periodontal plastic surgery is associated with significant dentin hypersensitivity suppression.

Included patients presented a significant dentin hypersensitivity (Schiff score ≥ 2) and gingival recession. Treatment consisted of periodontal plastic surgery for root coverage. At 6 months, significant dentin hypersensitivity prevalence was assessed. Surgical outcomes were evaluated by measuring the percentage of root surface coverage and the height of root coverage, both in pixels and millimeters, in two groups: teeth without significant dentin hypersensitivity and those with persistent significant dentin hypersensitivity.

Significant dentin hypersensitivity prevalence was 6.8% (95% CI [1.0%–12.5%]), with suppression in 93.2% of treated teeth 6 months postoperatively. Complete root surface coverage (CRSCpix) was achieved in 69.6% without dentin hypersensitivity, significantly higher than 0.0% in teeth with dentin hypersensitivity (p = 0.0041). Complete root height coverage in pix (CRHCpix) was 63.8% without dentin hypersensitivity versus (vs) 20.0% with DH (p = 0.0737), while complete root height coverage in mm (CRHCmm) was 76.8% without DH vs. 40.0% with dentin hypersensitivity (p = 0.1033). Mean root surface coverage in pixels (RSCpix) was 88.3% ± 19.7% without DH, significantly higher than 62.6% ± 28.2% with dentin hypersensitivity (p = 0.0031). Mean root height coverage in pixels (RHCpix) was 83.2% ± 28.3% without DH versus 68.8% ± 35.1% with dentin hypersensitivity (p = 0.0573), while mean root height coverage in millimeters (RHCmm) was 88.2% ± 24.7% without dentin hypersensitivity versus 73.3% ± 30.8% with dentin hypersensitivity (p = 0.0503). No significant differences were found for height‐based root coverage in pixels (RHCpix) and millimeters (RHCmm).

Success of surgical root coverage, particularly the amount of root surface covered, could be a key factor in dentin hypersensitivity suppression.