Evaluation of temperature changes in the pulp chamber during polymerization of light-cured pulp-capping materials by using a VALO LED light curing unit at different curing distances

The aim of this study was to evaluate temperature changes in the pulp chamber during polymerization of four different pulp-capping materials using a LED-light-curing-unit in the contact and noncontact positions. A pulpal circulation mechanism was simulated to measure increases in temperature in four pulp-capping materials that were applied to the occlusal dentin surface. Two different distances were used between the tip of the unit and the material surface during polymerization; 0 and 2 mm. The data were statistically analyzed using factorial-ANOVA, one-way-ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD test. There were statistically differences between contact and noncontact groups (p<0.05). Contact groups produced significantly lower temperature rise compared with noncontact groups. The highest and lowest mean temperature increases were calculated for the Biner LC and the TheraCal LC, respectively. Considering the effects of temperature rising, the distance of the light curing units from restorations should not be overlooked as well as the types of the materials.