Temperature Excursions at the Pulp-Dentin Junction during the Curing of Light-Activated Dental Restorations

M. Jakubinek[1,2], C. Neill[1], C. Felix[3], R. Price[2,3], M. White[1,2]

[1]Departments of Chemistry and Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
[2]Institute for Research in Materials, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
[3]Department of Dental Clinical Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Published in 2008

Heat produced during the curing of light-activated dental restorations could damage the dental pulp. Given the prevalence of composite restorations and the importance of avoiding injury to the pulp, efforts should be made to minimize the temperature increase that occurs at the pulp-dentin junction during light-curing.

In this investigation we develop and evaluate a COMSOL Multiphysics FEM tooth model to simulate temperature increases during light-curing of dental restorations. The model indicates that the intensity of the curing light, the curing time and the enthalpy of polymerization of the resin composite were the most important factors.

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