title: A novel computerized system for thermal stimulation of tooth in ferrets.
abstract: A dual thermal and electrical stimulator was developed to examine the central pathways that transmit noxious stimuli for intact dentition. This system allows computer-controlled stimulation of the canines of ferrets with either noxious heat or electrical stimuli. A set of in vitro studies demonstrated that the application of thermal stimuli to an intact tooth can produce pulpal temperatures above 43 °C, which is perceived as a painful stimulus in humans. In a set of in vivo studies, it was demonstrated that heating an intact tooth at temperatures of at least 40 °C, excited trigeminal brainstem neurons. Only 15% of the neurons activated by electrical stimulation responded to noxious heat applied to the canine. Eight of the 23 neurons were classified as nociceptive specific neurons and responded only to noxious stimulation of their cutaneous receptive fields. Fifteen of the 23 neurons were classified as wide dynamic range neurons and responded to both noxious and non-noxious stimulation applied to their cutaneous receptive fields. This new device can accurately deliver both thermal and electrical stimuli to an intact tooth, which allows an evaluation of the central neural circuits that respond to noxious stimulation of the dentition.
authors: Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook University, 188-1 Sam Deok 2ga, Chung-gu, Daegu 700-412, Republic of Korea. dkahn@knu.ac.kr
authors: Dong K
authors: DK
authors: Ahn
authors: Ollie
authors: O
authors: Monbureau
authors: Matti
authors: M
authors: Narhi
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Maixner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003201:Computers / Q000592:standards*; D005289:Ferrets; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009482:Neurophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology; D014098:Toothache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology