Recession due to peridontal disease
Abfraction
Chemical erosion
Sensitivity is the most often heard complaint from the patients.
Main causes are as follows:
1. Periodontal disease. Gum disease that results from destruction of supporting bone and soft tissues exposes roots in oral cavity. Roots are a lot more sensitive than crowns are, due to lack of protective enamel and closer to the nerves in the canals.
2. Abfraction is the term we use to describe recession caused by excessive brushing. Heavy brushing removes part of the enamel and cementum at the cervical (neck) area of the tooth and causes the gum to pull away from it, thus expesing the root surface.
3. Chemical erosion is seen in bulimic or GERD (acid reflux) patients. Constant refluxing of acidic content from the GI system can cause erosion of the inner side of the teeth.
4. Using bleaching tooth paste can also contribute to having sensitive teeth. Many manufacturers produce whitening tooth paste to help whiten teeth but it can also cause a great deal of sensitivity in patients who already have gum recession.
Treatments for sensitivity are bonding, crowning or in some cases, gum graft