title: Is surgical root coverage effective for the treatment of cervical dentin hypersensitivity? A systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cervical dentin hypersensitivity (CDH) is characterized by tooth pain arising from root exposure. The aim of the present systematic review is to survey the literature on the efficacy of surgical root coverage techniques at reducing CDH in cases of gingival recession.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online electronic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Randomized clinical trials dating from the inception of the respective databases through November 2011 were selected. Studies addressing clinical parameters of periodontal plastic surgery outcomes and variables related to CDH in patients ≥18 years of age were included. The studies were evaluated by two independent reviewers. For each article, methodologic quality, size effect, the periodontal parameters measured, study design, methods, and results were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine relevant articles were analyzed in the present review. A decrease in CDH was observed after periodontal surgery for root coverage. The risk of bias was considered low in two studies, and the size effect was considered large in one study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is not enough scientific evidence to conclude that surgical root coverage procedures predictably reduce CDH. Well-conducted clinical trials are needed to establish scientific evidence that allows periodontists to indicate root coverage as treatment for CDH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dhelfeson Willya
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Douglas de Oliveira
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Ferreira
authors.forename: Olga Dumont
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Flecha
authors.forename: Patricia Furtado
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005893:Gingivoplasty / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic