Intrapulpal temperature changes during curing of different bulk-fill restorative materials

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intrapulpal temperature changes during the curing of different bulk-fill restorative materials. Ten mandibular molar teeth were selected and occlusal surfaces were removed to obtain a standard 0.5 mm occlusal dentin thickness. Five bulk-fill restorative materials and a conventional resin composite (control) were applied. The intrapulpal temperature changes during the curing of these materials were determined by a device simulating pulpal blood microcirculation. The difference between the initial and maximum temperature values (At), was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test (p<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between materials (p<0.001). The light-curing bulk fill restoratives exhibited the highest At values. Equia Forte showed the lowest At values among all the groups (p<0.05). Bulk-fill restorative materials causes significantly different temperature changes in the pulp chamber according to curing type. Therefore, clinicians should be considered when using these materials.