Thermal imaging of the pulp during residual adhesive removal

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the temperature changes of the pulpal area during different adhesive clean-up procedures.

Materials and methods

A total of 80 freshly extracted adult maxillary premolar teeth were divided into four groups. Adhesive clean-up was performed with 6- and 12-fluted tungsten carbide burs (TCB) using low- and high-speed handpieces with air or water cooling after bracket debonding. The temperature changes and cool down times were evaluated with a thermal camera. Paired t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Student–Newman–Keuls multiple comparison analysis were used for statistical analysis of the data.

Results

All experimental groups, except the water cooling group, showed a significant temperature rise (p < 0.001) after residual adhesive removal. Only the 6-fluted TCB group with air cooling using a high-speed handpiece exceeded the critical 5.5 °C threshold value (5.91 ± 0.89 °C); this group also exhibited the longest cool down time to initial temperature (71.95 ± 13.68 s). The smallest temperature rise (0.48 ± 0.90 °C) and shortest cooling time value (11.90 ± 5.3 s) were measured in the 6-fluted TCB group with water cooling using a high-speed handpiece.

Conclusion

Appropriate cooling procedures and fine tungsten carbide burs should be used during the removal of remnant adhesives after bracket debonding in order to prevent adverse pulpal reactions.

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