Thermal stimulation causes tooth deformation: A possible alternative to the hydrodynamic theory?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between temperature distribution and tooth structure deformation during and after localised application of thermal stimuli used during pulp vitality testing. METHODS: Strains and temperature changes within tooth structures were recorded when three different thermal stimuli, namely heated gutta percha (120-140 degrees C), carbon dioxide dry ice (-72 degrees C) and refrigerant spray (-50 degrees C), were applied to extracted bovine incisors. Each stimulus was applied for 5s on the labial enamel surface in a random order, with a 30-min interval between tests. Finite element analysis was performed on basic geometrical shapes to investigate structural d..