Effect of resin photopolymerization on primary teeth pulpal temperature change

Abstract

Purpose: The polymerization of restorative materials has the potential to increase pulpal temperature and may result in damage to the health of pulpal tissue. The aim of this study is to investigate the pulpal temperature change of primary teeth with two light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing units (LCUs) (Valo Cordless®, EliparTM DeepCure-S) and three restorative groups (Filtek™ Bulk Fill Flowable, Filtek™ Z250 Universal Restorative and empty cavity) by using a microcirculation model. Material and methods: Ten sound human maxillary second primary molars were used. Standardized Class V cavity preparations were performed with a dentin thickness of 1 mm and restorative groups were cured with LED LCUs. The highest temperature point in the pulp chamber was recorded. A repeated measures ANOVA and paired samples t-test were used for analysis of the data (p<0.05). Results: EliparTM DeepCure-S groups exceeded the accepted critical temperature point of 5.6°C for Z250, Bulk Fill, and empty cavity (7.6±0.36, 7.44±0.7, and 5.81±1.6, respectively). None of the groups cured with Valo Cordless® reached the critical point (5.35±0.54, 5.44±0.41, and 5.02±0.89, respectively). The values in the different groups cured with Valo Cordless® were not significantly different (p≥0.05), but empty cavity showed significantly lower temperature values than the composite resin groups when the EliparTM DeepCure-S device was used (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a correlation between the increased power of LED LCUs and pulp damage in restorative procedures. © 2023, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.