How does indirect air-cooling influence pulp chamber temperature in different volume teeth and absence/presence of resin-based composite during light curing?

Background Light-curing of materials during restorative dental procedures poses a risk for pulp tissue overheating. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of indirect air-cooling on pulp chamber temperatures during light-curing of varying volume teeth and absence/presence of resin-based composite (RBC) at different exposure time. Methods The volume of 11 human teeth was measured by micro computed tomograph. An experimental rig controlled the thermal environment of the teeth and a thermocouple inserted retrograde into the root canal measured temperature changes. Pulp chamber temperature was measured with and without air-cooling on teeth without and with RBC at 15 s, 30 s and 60 s intervals. Generalized estimating equations were used for statistical analysis. Results The temperature increase with air-cooling (versus no air-cooling) was lower in teeth despite absence/presence of RBC (beta = - 4.26, 95%CI - 5.33 and beta = - 4.47, 95%CI - 5.60, respectively). With air-cooling, the temperature increase in teeth with RBC was lower compared to teeth without RBC (beta = - 0.42, 95%CI -0.79; - 0.05). Higher teeth volume resulted in lower temperature increase with air-cooling than without air-cooling (beta = - 0.04, 95%CI -0.07; - 0.01 and beta = - 0.17, 95%CI -0.30; - 0.05, respectively). Conclusions Air-cooling resulted in lower pulp chamber temperature increase. Using air-cooling, the temperature increase was lower in teeth with RBC compared to teeth without RBC. Lower volume teeth resulted in higher temperature increase, thus they seemed to benefit more from air-cooling compared to higher volume teeth. Air-cooling could be an effective tool in controlling pulp temperature increase during light-curing, especially when the tooth volume is small.