Comparison of temperature increase in the pulp chamber during the polymerization of materials used for the direct fabrication of provisional restorations.

Statement Of Problem: Polymerization of resin materials used for the fabrication of provisional restorations is associated with an exothermic reaction. This temperature rise may present a serious biological problem, since it can cause iatrogenic thermal trauma to the pulp.

Purpose: This in vitro study compared the temperature increase in the pulp chamber of a molar placed in contact with different resins used for the direct fabrication of provisional restorations.

Material And Methods: Polymethyl methacrylate (Jet), polyethyl methacrylate (Snap), polyvinylethyl methacrylate (Trim), Bis-acrylic composite (Protemp II), and a VLP urethane dimethacrylate (Revotec LC) were compared with respect to their exothermic reaction properties during polymerization. A mandibular molar prepared for a complete coverage restoration was placed in an acrylic resin block. A thermal probe connected to a digital thermometer was placed into the pulp chamber. Specimens were submerged in a water bath to simulate intraoral conditions. The provisional resin materials tested were measured and mixed according to manufacturer's instructions. The resin mixture was placed into a vacuum-formed acetate template and was then positioned on the prepared molar tooth. The temperature was recorded during polymerization at 30-second intervals until it was evident that the peak temperature had been reached. Temperature increase was measured ( degrees C) for both the initial crown fabrication and the reline procedures. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, 1-way analysis of variance, and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference tests (alpha=.05).

Results: One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (F=57.010, P<.0001) in temperature rise for different provisional resin materials. Mean temperature increase for the provisional crown fabrication ranged from 37.76 degrees C for the polyvinylethyl methacrylate to 39.40 degrees C for the polymethyl methacrylate. Mean temperature rise for the reline procedures ranged from 36.80 degrees C for the polyvinylethyl methacrylate to 37.69 degrees C for the polymethyl methacrylate. All of the tested materials produced an exothermic chemical reaction.

Conclusions: Polymethyl methacrylate produced the higher exothermic reaction in both initial crown fabrication and reline procedures. Polyethyl methacrylate, polyvinylethyl methacrylate, and Bis-acrylic resins tested were not significantly different from each other.