Intrapulpal temperature during direct fabrication of provisional restorations

Measurements were made of the heat transferred to the pulp by different types of resins, different volumes of resin, and different types of matrices commonly used in the direct fabrication of extracoronal provisional restorations. A mandibular model was fabricated using extracted teeth that were prepared for extracoronal restorations. Provisional restorations were fabricated for the prepared teeth using conventional direct techniques, and the intrapulpal temperature rise was recorded. The temperature rise ranged from a low of 0.42 degrees C to a high of 7.21 degrees C. Of the three resins tested, the poly(methyl methacrylate) material induced the greatest temperature increase. The vacuum-formed matrix allowed a greater temperature increase than either of the impression material matrices.