[Non-contact measurement of the increase in pulp temperature during thermal debonding]

Thermal debonding of ceramic brackets is now used for some time. In this context the possibility of a thermal damage of the pulp is one of the main questions. With the aid of a touchless infrared thermography device (SST/Theta 1,000; Heimann, FRG-Wiesbaden) the consequences of thermal debonding with the "Ceramic Debonding Unit" (Dentaurum, Pforzheim) have been studied. A use according to the manufacturer's device led to temperature changes up to 3 degrees C as maximum. Therefore our in vitro results indicate that the orderly use of the system is safe for the pulp. If the debonding fails, the temperature increase is much higher if the resistance wire is left in place. The influence of different composites is discussed.