Pulp Chamber Temperature Increase from Curing Light Units: An In Vitro Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare temperature rises in the pulp chamber induced by halogen, plasma arc, and conventional light-emitting diode (LED) curing units with that induced via a new generation LED-curing unit (VALO) in extra power mode. Methods: A Class I cavity was prepared on the occlusal surface of 80 extracted caries-free mandibular third molars, which were filled with a microhybrid composite. A thermocouple wire was inserted into the pulp chamber of each tooth to measure temperature changes. Results: The greatest temperature increases were observed during polymerization of composite resin with a halogen curing unit (3.2 degrees Celsius), followed by plasma arc curing (2.07 degrees Celsius) and VALO curing (1.44 degrees Celsius); the lowest temperature rise was with conventional LED curing (1.01 degrees Celsius). Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences between conventional LED and VALO curing in extra power mode regarding pulp chamber temperature increases when polymerizing composite resin.