title: A microprocessor temperature-controlled air delivery system for dentinal hypersensitivity testing.
abstract: A new microprocessor temperature controlled air delivery system for determining cold and warm temperature thresholds of dentinal hypersensitivity has been designed and built. The temperature range of the unit is -5 degrees to + 85 degrees C. Air is delivered from a typical dental unit air syringe nozzle at a relatively gentle flow rate of 0.2 cu ft/min at operator selected temperatures, with an accuracy of +/- 0.2 degrees C. Within seconds, 1 degree to 5 degrees temperature increments or decrements are accomplished. Larger, i.e., 20 degree increments or decrements, require approximately 15 seconds. The unit can operate from standard 110 V/60 Hz or 230 V/50 Hz outlets and requires a source of compressed air at 60 psig, equivalent to that provided by dental operatory-type air compressors. This report provides a description of the unit, its operation, and data from two clinical studies in which it was used successfully to determine temperature thresholds of dentinal hypersensitivity.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Person
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Demand
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koltun
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Spindel
mesh_terms: D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans