[Thermal properties of human teeth and dental cements]

The thermal properties (thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity) of human teeth and some dental cements were measured. The temperature change at the pulp cavity was also measured before and after the restoration with the full metal crown. The thermal insulating efficiency of dental cement was discussed. The thermal diffusivity of human dentin, enamel and dental cements was 2.04 x 10(-3), 3.22 x 10(-3), and 0.99-1.87 x 10(-3) cm2/sec, respectively. The thermal conductivity was 1.36 x 10(-3), 1.84 x 10(-3), and 0.50-1.51 x 10(-3) cal/cm.sec.degrees C, respectively. The dental cement beneath the crown insulated the thermal shock to dental pulp and the thermal insulating efficiency was increased with the decrease in the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of dental cement.