The objective of this review is to inform practitioners about dentin hypersensitivity and its management. This review provides a general view of the aetiology, characteristics and treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, so that professionals can use this information in the therapeutic management of this clinical condition. The presenting symptoms of sensitive teeth are multi-factorial, and from the perspective of restorative dentistry, make a differential diagnosis of true dentine hypersensitivity a challenge. Dentin hypersensitivity is diagnosed after elimination of other possible causes of the pain. Desensitizing treatment should be delivered systematically, beginning with prevention and at-home treatments. The latter may be supplemented with in-office modalities. The prevalence of Dentin hypersensitivity varies widely, depending on the mode of investigation. Potassiumcontaining toothpastes are the most widely used at-home treatments. Most in-office treatments employ some form of “barrier”, either a topical solution or gel or an adhesive restorative material. The availability of a wide variety of treatment could be an indicator that there is still no effective desensitizing agent to completely resolve the patient’s discomfort, or that it is difficult to treat, irrespective of the available treatment options. 

Keywords: Dentin hypersensitivity; Desensitizing agents; Home-care; In-office treatment; Toothpaste.