There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for temperature increase
along the external root surface during ultrasonic post removal in a simulated clinical
environment. Thirty-seven extracted teeth were decoronated, instrumented, and then
obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. Post spaces were prepared, followed by cementation
of stainless steel posts. A simulated clinical environment was created by using a
polymethylmethacrylate sheet with holes custom fitted for the extracted teeth and
then suspended over a heated water bath. Two thermocouples were attached at 6 and
12 mm from the top of the post along the external root surface. Teeth were divided
into 3 test groups, no coolant, air-cooled, and water-cooled. Temperature changes
were recorded by using a Vishay 5000 Strain Smart system. Results demonstrated that
a significant difference existed in the average heat rates between the upper and lower
thermocouples for no coolant and water-cooled groups at the medium setting and the
air-cooled group at the high setting. The average heat rates were significantly different
between the 2 thermocouples for all 3 groups when comparing the 2 ultrasonic power
settings. Results indicated that the average heat rate was less for the water-cooled
group when using a medium power setting.