IN-VITRO PULP CHAMBER TEMPERATURE RISES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARGON-LASER POLYMERIZATION OF COMPOSITE RESIN

Study Design/Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was performed upon 50 extracted human molars that provided the occlusal surfaces for standard class I preparations, The cavity floor of the 20 specimens w as covered with zinc phosphate cement and the teeth were sectioned tra nsversally at or below the cemento-enamel junction. In some specimens pulp tissue was removed from the pulp chamber. The cavities of all spe cimens were filled with composite resin, and the resin was cured with an argon laser. Results: A statistically significant difference in the rise in temperature was obtained only in the temperature of dentin ro of of the pulp chamber between the specimens with (2.2 degrees C) and without (3.1 degrees C) cement base (P<.05). There was no significant difference in the temperature of the pulp tissue between specimens wit h (2.7 degrees C) and without (2.2 degrees C) base cement. The peak te mperature of the composite surface was 13.8 degrees C. Conclusion: The se data indicate that argon laser curing may be a method of choice for polymerization of the composite resin. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.