Effect of cooling water temperature on the temperature changes in pulp chamber and at handpiece head during high-speed tooth preparation

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the effect of cooling water temperature on the temperature changes in the pulp chamber and at the handpiece head during high-speed tooth preparation using an electric handpiece. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight intact human molars received a standardized occlusal preparation for 60 seconds using a diamond bur in an electric handpiece, and one of four treatments were applied that varied in the temperature of cooling water applied (control, with no cooling water, $10^{\circ}C$, $23^{\circ}C$, and $35^{\circ}C$). The temperature changes in the pulp chamber and at the handpiece head were recorded using K-type thermocouples connected to a digital thermometer. Results: The average temperature changes within the pulp chamber and at the handpiece head during preparation increased substantially when no cooling water was applied ($6.8^{\circ}C$ and $11.0^{\circ}C$, respectively), but decreased significantly when cooling water was added. The most substantial drop in temperature occurred with $10^{\circ}C$ water ($-16.3^{\circ}C$ and $-10.2^{\circ}C$), but reductions were also seen at $23^{\circ}C$ ($-8.6^{\circ}C$ and $-4.9^{\circ}C$). With $35^{\circ}C$ cooling water, temperatures increased slightly, but still remained lower than the no cooling water group ($1.6^{\circ}C$ and $6.7^{\circ}C$). Conclusions: The temperature changes in the pulp chamber and at the handpiece head were above harmful thresholds when tooth preparation was performed without cooling water. However, cooling water of all temperatures prevented harmful critical temperature changes even though water at $35^{\circ}C$ raised temperatures slightly above baseline.