Comparison of temperature rise in the pulp chamber with different light curing units: An in-vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
This in vitro study was designed to measure and compare the temperature rise in the pulp chamber with different light curing units.


METHODS
The study was done in two settings-in-vitro and in-vivo simulation. In in-vitro setting, 3mm and 6mm acrylic spacers with 4mm tip diameter thermocouple was used and six groups were formed according to the light curing source- 3 Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen (QTH) units and 3 Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) units. For the LED units, three modes of curing like pulse-cure mode, fast mode and ramp mode were used. For in-vivo simulation, 12 caries free human third molar tooth with fused root were used. K-type thermocouple with 1 mm tip diameter was used. Occlusal cavity was prepared, etched, rinsed with water and blot dried; bonding agent was applied and incremental curing of composite was done. Thermal emission for each light curing agent was noted.


RESULTS
Temperature rise was very minimal in LED light cure units than in QTH light cure units in both the settings. Temperature rise was minimal at 6mm distance when compared to 3 mm distance. Among the various modes, fast mode produces the less temperature rise. Temperature rise in all the light curing units was well within the normal range of pulpal physiology.


CONCLUSIONS
Temperature rise caused due to light curing units does not result in irreversible pulpal damage.
Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, S.R.M. Dental College, Chennai, India.
A V
AV
Rajesh Ebenezar
R
R
Anilkumar
R
R
Indira
S
S
Ramachandran
M R
MR
Srinivasan