In vitro study of heat production during power reduction of equine mandibular teeth.

This study investigates the heat generated during the dental reduction of horse teeth by power instruments. The research concluded that significant heat, potentially leading to tooth pulp damage, is produced when using power tools for dental reduction unless water cooling is used.

Research Objective and Methodology

The objective of this research was to measure the amount of heat generated during three different methods of equine dental reduction using power tools. These methods were examined in a laboratory setting, using 30 discarded premolar and molar teeth from horse mandibles. The teeth were segregated into three groups: Group-NC1, Group-NC2, and Group-C2.

To measure precise temperature, a 38-gauge copper-constantan thermocouple was embedded in each tooth’s lingual side, at 15 mm (proximal) and 25 mm (distal) from the tooth’s occlusal surface. This ensured that the tip of the thermocouple was situated near the pulp chamber of the tooth.

• Group-NC1 (10 teeth) were ground for one minute without any coolant.
• Group-NC2 (also 10 teeth) were ground for two minutes, again without any coolant.
• Group-C2 (the remaining 10 teeth) were also ground for two minutes, but in this case, water was used as a coolant.

Results

The research observed an evident difference in temperature increase between the three different groups, measured at two different points in each tooth.

• For Group-NC1, the average temperature increase was 1.2°C at the distal thermocouple and 6.6°C at the proximal thermocouple.
• Group-NC2 observed a higher temperature increase, with a 4.1°C increase at the distal thermocouple and a significant leap of 24.3°C at the proximal thermocouple.
• The group that used water as a coolant, Group-C2, experienced a temperature increase of only 0.8°C at the distal thermocouple and more shockingly, a decrease of 0.1°C at the proximal thermocouple.

Conclusions

The study concluded that a 5°C increase in human teeth is usually considered the limit before irreversible damage occurs to the tooth pulp. In Group-NC2, this limit was exceeded drastically, indicating potential danger for the tooth pulp. However, in Group-C2, where water was used as a coolant, there was little to no rise in temperature. Thus, the research suggests that while using power instruments for major dental reduction in equine teeth, a coolant, specifically water, must be used to avoid possible thermal changes leading to irreversible pulp damage.