In-vitro measurement of temperature increase in pulp chamber with light cured composite resins using fiber Bragg grating thermal sensor

Abstract

This paper reports in vitro studies on pulp chamber temperature increase during the polymerization of the composite resin induced by the light-curing process, using Fiber Bragg Grating Thermal Sensor (FBGTS). A 1.5 mm composite resin layer is applied to the Class I cavity prepared in an extracted molar tooth and light cured. The increase in the pulp chamber temperature, during the curing process is sensed by the FBGTS inserted into the pulp chamber. The FBGTS employed in the present work has been designed, developed and calibrated in the laboratory prior to the experiment. The results are expected to be an indicator towards the potential hazard caused by heat induced pulpal injuries while curing composite resins with light.