A model of temperature transients in dental implants

Dental implants provide a continuous interface between the oral environment and the deep core structures of the jaws. Implants and trans-mucosal super structures are primarily metal and heat conduction occurs readily. A hypoth etical heat conduction model is investigated to determine the ranges of tem perature gradients that might occur in implants. This model showed that a 6 0 C heat source will cause a heat front of greater than or equal to 47 C to advance > 3 mm down an implant within one second. Oral temperature transie nts may be a factor in implant pathology. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.