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Laser‐induced thermal events in empty and pulp‐filled dental pulp chambers
Author(s) -
Chang Jason C.,
WilderSmith Petra
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1998)22:1<46::aid-lsm11>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - pulp (tooth) , irradiation , dentistry , laser , thermocouple , root canal , materials science , composite material , medicine , optics , physics , nuclear physics
Background and Objective The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate: 1. thermal events during laser irradiation @2.1 μm of the pulp; 2. whether these effects are adequately modeled using an empty pulp chamber/root canal. Study Design/Materials and Methods In extracted human teeth, pulpal access was prepared and thermocouples placed 2, 3 mm apical to the center of the irradiation spot. Pulp‐filled or empty pulp chambers were irradiated using a Ho:YAG laser: Spot Size: 1 mm; Power: 1, 2, 3.5, 4.5W; PRR: 5, 12 Hz; Duration: 10 sec. Thermal measurements were repeated 3×. Results Thermal trends did not differ significantly and correlated positively with power ( P < 0.01), PRR ( P < 0.01), irradiation duration ( P < 0.05). No significant difference was determined between temperatures in empty and pulp‐filled chambers at all parameters at 5 Hz and at 1–2W at 12 Hz ( P < 0.05, 2‐tailed Student's t ‐test). At 12 Hz and >3.5W, pulp chamber temperatures exceeded those in pulpal tissue ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Pulp tissues must be present to ensure clinical relevance of thermal measurements. Lasers Surg. Med. 22:46–50, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.