An in vivo recording of variations in oral temperature during meals: a pilot study.

Thermocycling is often used in the in vitro evaluation of marginal leakage of dental restorations. The in vivo temperatures occurring during meals were recorded at different surfaces of restored teeth, to compare the variations in temperature with laboratory thermocycling. Temperatures were recorded with thermocouples at three different sites: (1) on the facial surface of a silver amalgam restoration, (2) at the base of a silver amalgam restoration and (3) within the root canal. The maximal temperature differences between upper and lower extremes were 29.6 degrees C at the base of a coronal restoration, 27.1 degrees C at the facial surface, and 11.8 degrees C within the root canal. A practical regimen for these experiments is suggested in the light of these ranges because many thermocycling regimens in in vitro studies appear extreme or unrealistic.