Thermal analysis of the intact mandibular premolar: a finite element analysis

Abstract

To obtain temperature distribution data through human teeth focusing on the pulp-dentine junction (PDJ). A three-dimensional tooth model was reconstructed using computer-aided design software from computed tomographic images. Subsequently, temperature distribution was numerically determined through the tooth for three different heat loads. Loading type I was equivalent to a 60°C mouth temperature for 1s. Loading type II started with a 60°C mouth temperature, decreasing linearly to 37°C over 10s. Loading type III repeated the pattern of type II in three consecutive cycles, with a 5s resting time between cycles. The maximum temperatures of the pulp were 37.9°C, 39.0°C and 41.2°C for loading types I, II, and III, respectively. The largest temperature rise occurred with the cyclic loading, that is, type III. For the heat loads considered, the predicted peak temperatures at the PDJ were less than the reported temperature thresholds of irreversible pulpal damage.