A microprocessor temperature-controlled air delivery system for dentinal hypersensitivity testing

A new microprocessor temperature controlled air delivery system for determining cold and warm temperature thresholds of dentinal hypersensitivity has been designed and built. The temperature range of the unit is -5 degrees to + 85 degrees C. Air is delivered from a typical dental unit air syringe nozzle at a relatively gentle flow rate of 0.2 cu ft/min at operator selected temperatures, with an accuracy of +/- 0.2 degrees C. Within seconds, 1 degree to 5 degrees temperature increments or decrements are accomplished. Larger, i.e., 20 degree increments or decrements, require approximately 15 seconds. The unit can operate from standard 110 V/60 Hz or 230 V/50 Hz outlets and requires a source of compressed air at 60 psig, equivalent to that provided by dental operatory-type air compressors. This report provides a description of the unit, its operation, and data from two clinical studies in which it was used successfully to determine temperature thresholds of dentinal hypersensitivity.