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An evaluation of the use of tooth temperature to assess human pulp vitality
E Smith1, M Dickson, A L Evans
1Department of Clinical Physics, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
Aim:
To evaluate change in tooth surface temperature following a thermal stimulus as a simple and reliable method to assess the presence and the extent of blood flow through teeth.
Methodology:
Miniature thermometers were used to measure the relationship between surface temperature of teeth and internal flow of 37 degrees C water (in vitro) or blood (in vivo). In addition, thermal stimuli were applied to the external surface of the teeth, and the rate of temperature recovery was related to internal flow.
Results:
Under in vitro conditions, the surface temperature of teeth and rate of temperature recovery were related to the rate of internal water flow. However, in vivo neither standing surface temperature (P = 0.47) nor rate of temperature recovery (P = 0.19) were significantly related to evidential pulp vitality.
Conclusion:
Change in the surface temperature of teeth is not suitable as a simple clinical means to assess pulp vitality.
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