Pulp chamber temperature variation evaluation using fiber Bragg grating sensor.

Abstract

The present in vitro study proposes a novel (to the best of our knowledge) methodology employing a fiber Bragg grating sensor for the evaluation of pulp chamber temperature increase during the polymerization of the composite resin induced by the light-curing process. A fiber Bragg grating temperature sensor (FBGTS) has been developed in view of its ease of insertion into the pulp chamber with minimal widening of the pulpal canal. The temperature increase in the pulpal chamber during the polymerization of the composite resin by light curing has been characterized with varying depths of cavities of 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm employing FBGTS. Also, the increase in temperature of the pulpal chamber during the polymerization of the composite resin has been studied with variants of the light-curing device. The obtained results are expected to be an indicator towards the potential hazard caused by heat induced pulpal injuries during the polymerization of composite resins using a light-curing device.