Post-treatment sensitivity; dentists in the region look for solutions to this age old problem

Gum irritation, sharp pains, hot and cold sensitivity – we’ve all experienced this after a trip to the dentists but why does it happen and how can we prevent it. According to Professor Stephen Rosenstiel from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, dental crowns continue to cause post-treatment sensitivity for some patients and despite modern techniques and remedies, sensitivity still remains a troublesome problem for some patients.

In a two-part lecture series which took place this morning at the 3^rd Dentistry Middle East Exhibition and Congress, which will continue tomorrow (3^rd November) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Prof Rosenstiel discussed post treatment sensitivity and the implications and treatments options available for dentists and patients alike.

“Dental crowns are a common treatment for a fractured or badly decayed tooth,” says Prof Rosenstiel, who is also the president of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics and associate editor of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. “Dentists all over the world provide millions of crowns every year and most crowns give many years of excellent service. Sometimes a newly-placed crown is sensitive to hot or cold, making eating difficult. This seems to happen in about 10% of crowns and is obviously very annoying for the patient. When a dentist makes a crown, the tooth has to be cut down to make room for the crown material. This removes surface enamel and exposes the sensitive dentin beneath.”

The good news, says Prof Rosenstiel, is that in most cases the sensitivity will go away; unfortunately, it may take many months before the tooth settles down. 

“Dentists have tried many techniques and remedies, such as special coatings, to prevent this problem, and with modern materials, the problem seems to occur less often. However, no one has completely managed to prevent sensitivity, which still remains a troublesome problem for some patients with new crowns,” he explains.

The Middle East’s premier gathering of dental professionals features more than 30 leading experts in the field of dentistry highlighting the educational significance of the event as well as showcasing a wide range of products including those from leading regional and global suppliers such as Al Aqaba Trading & Medical Supplies, BISCO, Al Hayat Pharmaceutical, NYU College of Dentistry, Gulf Dent Trading, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer, Elsevier, Fourmed and many more.

Crafted by Informa Exhibitions, the organiser of the annual Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, Dentistry Middle East 2011 is supported by the UAE Ministry of Health and the Dubai Health Authority, and the conference has CME (Continuing Medical Education) accreditation provided by the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi.

“By ensuring that Dentistry Middle East is accredited and our speakers are leading experts in their fields, Informa Exhibitions is committed to providing the best possible medical education available in the region,” commented Simon Page, Managing Director - Life Sciences, Informa Exhibitions. “Providing accredited dental education in the region will reduce travel costs for dental professionals as well as time spent away from their practice. More importantly, patients can be assured of the quality and standard of dental services available in the region.”