title: Simulations of thermal processes in tooth proceeding during cold pulp vitality testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper deals with the mathematical modeling of the thermal processes occurring in the tooth, during a very brief contact (a few seconds) with a very cold liquid on a part of the tooth crown. In this way one can simulate a heat transfer in tooth proceeding during a dental diagnostic test - pulp vitality testing. The impact of rapid ambient thermal changes acting on the tooth can cause toothache.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mathematical model: a system of partial differential equations with initial-boundary conditions (the axiallysymmetrical problem) and their numerical solutions using the control volume method is discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simulation results of the kinetics of the temperature changes inside the tooth are presented. The example of the control volume mesh (using the Voronoi polygons) well describing the shape of a molar tooth is given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The simulation results (the temperature distribution in the tooth at any moment of the simulation time and the kinetics of temperature variation at the points of the tooth domain considered) can help dentists in the selection of an appropriate method of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Computer and Information Sciences, Częstochowa University of Technology, Częstochowa, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciesielski
authors.affiliation: Higher School of Labour Safety Management, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Bohdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mochnacki
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mathematics, Częstochowa University of Technology, Częstochowa, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Siedlecki
mesh_terms: D003080:Cold Temperature; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D003813:Dentistry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D013997:Time Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000502:physiology*