title: In vitro study of heat production during power reduction of equine mandibular teeth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the amount of heat generated during 3 methods of equine dental reduction with power instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 premolar and molar teeth removed from mandibles of 8 equine heads collected at an abbatoir.
  
  
  METHODS
  38-gauge copper-constantan thermocouples were inserted into the lingual side of each tooth 15 mm (proximal) and 25 mm (distal) from the occlusal surface, at a depth of 5 mm, which placed the tip close to the pulp chamber. Group-NC1 (n = 10) teeth were ground for 1 minute without coolant, group-NC2 (10) teeth were ground for 2 minutes without coolant, and group-C2 (10) teeth were ground for 2 minutes with water for coolant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean temperature increase was 1.2 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and 6.6 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-NC1 teeth, 4.1 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and 24.3 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-NC2 teeth, and 0.8 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and -0.1 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-C2 teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, an increase of 5 degrees C in human teeth is considered the maximum increase before there is permanent damage to tooth pulp. In group-NC2 teeth, temperature increased above this limit by several degrees, whereas in group-C2 teeth, there was little or no temperature increase. Our results suggest that major reduction of equine teeth by use of power instruments causes thermal changes that may cause irreversible pulp damage unless water cooling is used.
authors.affiliation: Firethorn Equine Services, 5701 Lancaster-Circleville Rd, Lancaster, OH 43130, USA.
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Gordon J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Sandra Manfra
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Marretta
authors.forename: R Dean
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Scoggins
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Constable
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D001641:Bicuspid; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D003813:Dentistry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D013997:Time Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery