An investigation of an electronic heat transfer instrument
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Dentists have heated gutta percha using a variety of methods for at least 130 years. Warmed gutta percha is easily deformed and suited the needs of restorative dentists as well as endodontists. For more than 20 years, the Schilder OOP heat carrier has been the instrument of choice for transferring heat during the vertical compaction of warm gutta percha. Recently, however, an electronic instrument has been manufactured which produces heat at the tip of a specially designed heat probe. Prior to this study, no information existed regarding the control of the tip temperature or the use of the instrument in endodontic This investigation determined the maximum tip temperatures corresponding to each power setting of the instrument and determined the power setting which would provide the same temperature distribution patterns as those produced with a Schilder OOP heat carrier during the vertical compaction of warm gutta percha.
A type K thermocouple was welded to the tip of the Touch 'N Heat Model 5001 probe tip and connected to a Fluke 2240-A recording instrument. The maximum temperature and performance curve were determined for each power setting.
The thermocouple monitoring of temperatures within an obturated root canal was done to evaluate the temperature distribution patterns created with the Schilder OOP heat carrier and the Touch 'N Heat Model 5001 on various power settings. The temperature elevations resulting after multiple simulated two minute compaction procedures were used to determine the power setting of the Touch 'N Heat which duplicated the thermoprofile created with a Schilder OOP heat carrier.
The results show that the Touch 'N Heat performs rapidly and allows accurate control of the heat probe tip temperatures. The maximum tip temperatures ranged from 32°c (setting #1) to 732°c (setting #10).
A comparison of thermoprofiles produced with the Schilder heat carrier and Touch 1 N Heat Model 5001 indicate that power setting #3.5 and a three second penetration time provide nearly identical temperature distribution patterns as a Schilder heat carrier. The maximum temperature of the probe tip at power setting #3.5 is 330°c, approximately 500°c below the temperature of a "cherry red" Schilder heat carrier.
Additional observations in this study reveal the poor thermal conductivity of gutta percha as well as the high thermal conductivity of the Schilder pluggers.
It is anticipated that conclusions derived from the acquired data will assist endodontists understanding of the vertical compaction of warm gutta percha.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1984, (Endodontics)
Bibliography: leaves 128-133.
Bibliography: leaves 128-133.
License
This work is being made available in OpenBU by permission of its author, and is available for research purposes only. All rights are reserved to the author.