Somatosensory profiling of patients with plaque-induced gingivitis: a case-control study

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the mechanical and thermal sensory thresholds of the gingiva in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis compared with a control group to help characterize effects of an inflammatory condition in the oral mucosa on somatosensory function. Materials and methods: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) was used in 22 patients (men 10, women 12, age 20–30 years) with plaque-induced gingivitis at the lower lateral incisors and in 22 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers as a control group. One lower lateral incisor (32 or 42) was randomly identified for each included subject. Cold detection threshold (CDT), warm detection threshold (WDT), cold pain threshold (CPT), and heat pain threshold (HPT) of the attached gingiva at the identified lower lateral incisors were assessed in both groups. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the teeth was also tested from vertical and lateral directions and analyzed. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean values of the identified lower lateral incisors between the two groups. Results: The results showed that the CDT (P = 0.027), WDT (P = 0.021), and HPT (P = 0.005) at the gingiva and PPT (P < 0.001) at the identified lower lateral incisors from the vertical direction were significantly less sensitive, whereas the PPT (P = 0.016) at the gingiva of the identified lateral incisors were significantly more sensitive in the gingivitis group compared to the control group. Plaque-induced gingivitis and the inflammatory response appear to be associated with significant changes in somatosensory sensitivity at the gingiva and periodontal tissue in a bidirectional mode, i.e., both increased and decreased sensitivity to different types of stimuli. Conclusions: Inflammatory reactions in the gingiva seem to be associated with demonstrable changes in somatosensory function including both hypo- and hyperesthesia. Clinical relevance: These findings may have significance for general oral health and well-being in patients with even plaque-induced gingivitis.