Thermal trauma to teeth

The literature is reviewed with respect to several thermal loading situations and their influence on the temperature field in teeth. Breathing, food consumption, and dental treatment are processes disturbing the thermal balance in the oral cavity. The tooth temperature will be affected. These thermal changes result in a physical after‐effect on enamel, dentin, and restorative materials, as well as in a histological change of the pulp tissue. Postoperative discomfort is another after‐effect reported as a result of dental treatment. Recommendations concerning cooling technique and the use of a cement base are given to avoid this discomfort. In the literature reviewed, attention is mainly focused on temperature within teeth. However, the underlying thermal processes are important in the reported after‐effects. It is concluded that more attention should be paid to this phenomenon in future research.