[A temperature rise in the dental pulp during the electrothermal removal of ceramic brackets]

The aim of the present in-vitro study was to evaluate the changes in pulp temperature associated with thermal debonding of ceramic brackets using the Ceramic Debonding Unit (Dentaurum). In addition, several forms of false usage were simulated. Instead of thermoelements, the non-contact infrared thermography device SST/THETA 1000 (Heimann) was employed for the dynamic measurement of pulp temperature. Successful debonding after a single activation resulted in a maximal temperature change of 3 degrees C. These in vitro results indicate that the Ceramic Debonding Unit--properly applied--is gentle on the pulp tissue. If debonding fails, the increase in temperature is higher. The influence of differing bracket base morphologies and various resins on electrothermal debonding are discussed.