 1. HOT AND/OR COLD SENSITIVITY
A normal tooth will register a response to hot/cold within a period of 2-30 seconds,
and sustain that response for 10 seconds or less after the hot/cold is removed.
If the response is hurtful to hot/cold, or sensitivity is sustained longer than 10
seconds are the pulp/nerve of the tooth is in distress. Distress can be do to:
inflammation, decay, vertical fracture, heavy biting forces (clencher or bruxer) traumatic
contact in lateral chewing, or an ill fitting partial denture. Inflammation can be
reversible or irreversible. Reversible inflammation can be resolved by the elimination of
the causative factors. Irreversible inflammation; the tooth need root canal treatment or
extraction.
If the response to hot/cold is immediate and intense, but very brief; the tooth has
root sensitivity and can easily be treated with desensitizing toothpaste.
Back to Signs & Symptoms
©1998, Jeffrey Kohlhardt DDS, 1204 Cottonwood Street, Suite 4
Woodland, California 95695, (530) 662-7128 dr-k@dentalresource.com
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