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Future applications of electronic thermography.
Summary
Facial thermography shows limited use for common dental issues but shows promise for diagnosing nerve pain, TMJ disorders, and assessing anesthesia. Further research is needed to establish its value in dentistry.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Medical Imaging
- Thermology
Background:
- Facial thermography's role in dental health and disease is not fully established.
- Current literature lacks comprehensive data on thermographic findings in dentistry.
- Existing studies often suffer from design and execution flaws.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current applications and limitations of facial thermography in dentistry.
- To identify potential diagnostic uses of thermography in specific dental conditions.
- To assess the investigational status of thermography for dental applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on facial thermography in dental contexts.
- Analysis of thermography's utility in diagnosing conditions like neuralgias, TMJ disorders, and nerve damage.
- Evaluation of study quality and design limitations.
Main Results:
- Thermography is not effective for common issues like periapical granuloma.
- Promising but limited evidence suggests utility in diagnosing neuralgias, atypical odontalgia, TMJ disorders, and nerve repair.
- Thermography shows potential for evaluating local dental anesthesia effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Facial thermography is currently an investigational procedure in dentistry.
- More rigorous research is required to define its precise contribution and establish its clinical value.
- The full range of facial thermographic findings in dental health and disease remains to be determined.