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Surface and intra-pulpal temperature rises during tooth bleaching: an in vitro study
1Division of Restorative Dentistry, Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol Dental School.
British Dental Journal
|July 9, 2005
Summary
Tooth whitening lamps can increase tooth temperature. Most lamps kept intrapulpal temperature rises below the irreversible damage threshold, except for laser lamps, which require caution.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials
- Conservative Dentistry
Background:
- Tooth whitening procedures are increasingly popular.
- Understanding the thermal effects of whitening devices on dental pulp is crucial for safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify surface and intra-pulpal temperature changes in anterior teeth during in vitro whitening.
- To compare the thermal effects of different light sources used in tooth bleaching.
Main Methods:
- Extracted anterior teeth (incisors, canines) were used for in vitro testing.
- A thermocouple measured surface and intra-pulpal temperatures.
- Four light sources (plasma arc, xenon-halogen, halogen, diode laser) were evaluated with and without bleaching gel.
Main Results:
- Surface temperature increases varied widely (0.44°C to 86.3°C).
- Intra-pulpal temperature increases ranged from 0.30°C to 15.96°C.
- Bleaching gel presence reduced observed temperature elevations.
Conclusions:
- Most tested lamps resulted in intra-pulpal temperature increases below the 5.50°C threshold for irreversible pulpal damage.
- Diode laser lamps were the only exception, exceeding this critical threshold.
- Caution is advised when using laser-based lamps for tooth whitening.