RESUMO
PROBLEM: Laser systems are known to raise pulpal temperatures when applied to tooth surfaces. Dental biocalcified tissues can be cut with an erbium,chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser-powered hydrokinetic system. This device is effective for caries removal and cavity preparation in vitro. Pulpal monitoring of temperature changes during hard tissue cutting by a hydrokinetic system have not been reported. OBJECTIVES: This study compared the effects of hydrokinetic system, dry bur, and wet bur tooth cutting on pulpal temperature. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo thermocouple intrapulpal measurements were made on cuspid teeth in anesthetized beagle dogs. In vitro measurements were made on extracted human molar teeth preserved in high-salt solution and later rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) to simulate in vivo conditions. The hydrokinetic system was compared with conventional air-turbine-powered bur cutting. The hydrokinetic system cuts and bur preparations were randomly made on the buccal surfaces at the cervical one third of the crown and extended until exposure of the pulp was confirmed clinically. RESULTS: Pulpal temperatures associated with the hydrokinetic system either showed no change or decreased by up to 2 degrees C. Wet bur preparations resulted in a 3 degrees to 4 degrees C rise. With dry bur preparations, a 14 degrees C rise in temperature was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, the erbium,chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser-powered hydrokinetic system, when used for cavity preparation, had no apparent adverse thermal effect as measured in the pulp space.