In Vitro Infrared Thermographic Assessment of Root Surface Temperatures Generated by High-Temperature Thermoplasticized Injectable Gutta-Percha Obturation Technique

The aim of this in vitro study was to measure the temperature rises on the outer surface of roots produced by high-temperature thermoplasticized injectable gutta-percha technique. Thirty extracted human teeth with a single canal (15 maxillary central incisors and 15 mandibular central incisors) were used in this study. After root canal cleaning and shaping, the teeth were obturated with the injected gutta-percha heated to 160°C (Obtura II). Temperature changes on the whole mesial outer surface of the roots was measured using an infrared thermal imaging camera. It showed that the use of gutta-percha heated to 160°C to fill the maxillary central incisors and mandibular central incisors resulted in the rises of the root surface temperature by 8.5°C and 22.1°C, respectively. In conclusion, the injection of the gutta-percha heated to 160°C into the root canal of maxillary central incisors produces temperature on the outer root surfaces below the theoretical critical level and, therefore, should not cause damage to supporting periradicular tissues. The injection of gutta-percha into the root canal space of the mandibular central incisors in vitro, resulted in an elevation of the root surface temperature by more than 10°C.