Assessment of pulp chamber temperature increases with the application
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of pulp chamber temperature increases with the application of a light emitting diode curing light during placement of composite fillings.
IRAS ID
251503
Contact name
Michael P Horrocks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Chester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 15 days
Research summary
Dentists routinely use LED curing lights to harden white fillings in teeth during their placement. One consequence of their use is the generation of heat. Previous studies have found that if teeth become too hot then the nerve within the tooth may die resulting in an abscess at a later date. Once a tooth has an abscess it will require a root canal treatment or extraction. Root canal treatment is never 100% successful so a patient may end up losing a tooth due to misuse of the curing light. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether currently used LED curing lights have the potential to increase the temperature of the nerve to a point where it may die, the information from this study will allow dentists to modify their protocols if necessary.
The researcher will collect extracted human teeth and then process them in the laboratory. Cavities of differing depths will be prepared in the teeth and then a LED light applied for set times. Digital equipment will be used to record whether the heat generated by the LED light can by transmitted through the remaining thickness of the tooth to a level that will cause irreversible damage to the nerve.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0052
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion