DENTINAL HEAT TRANSMISSION INDUCED BY A LASER-SOFTENED GUTTA-PERCHA OBTURATION TECHNIQUE

In this study, intracanal laser-softened gutta-percha, Ultrafil, and i ntracanal laser-cured composite resin techniques were compared with re spect to the temperature elevation induced on the outer root surface, The temperature at the root surface of 50 single-rooted teeth was meas ured using a thermovision camera, Argon laser produced a rise in tempe rature of +12.9 degrees C (gutta-percha) and +13.3 degrees C (composit e resin), respectively, The CO2 laser produced +10.3 degrees C and Nd: YAG laser produced the highest temperature elevation of +14.4 degrees C, Low-temperature gutta-percha obturation technique did not produce a measurable temperature change on the external root surfaces.