Analysis of the Pulp Chamber Temperature of Teeth Submitted to Light Activation with and without Bleaching Gel

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose This study evaluated the temperature of the pulpal chamber (PC) of teeth submitted to the light activation with and without bleaching gel, using different types of light sources. Materials and methods A digital thermometer, thermocouple K type, was located in the PC of human upper central incisors and the specimens received light activation from the following sources: G1—Laser, G2—Halogen light, G3—progressive intensity halogen lamp, G4—LED/Laser. The light was applied for 3 minutes, with and without the use of bleaching gel. The data were collected after every 30 seconds and analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results The mean values were: Use of the gel—with gel: 3.09a, without gel: 2.79b; Type of light source—G1: 0.60a, G2: 2.38b, G3: 4.16c, G4: 4.63d; Time of activation 30 seconds: 1.15a, 1 minutes: 2.20b, 1 minutes 30 seconds: 2.97c, 2 minutes: 3.44d, 2 minutes 30 seconds: 3.81e, 3 minutes: 4.09e. Conclusions The use of bleaching gel associated with light activation resulted in higher heating of the PC. LED/LASER light and progressive intensity halogen lamp showed highest levels of heating. The increase of irradiation time significantly increased the temperature.