Introduction Heat is generated and transferred to the dentine-pulp complex during various dental procedures, such as from friction during cavity preparations, exothermic reactions during the polymerisation of restorative materials and when polishing restorations. For in vitro studies, detrimental effects are possible when intra-pulpal temperature increases by more than 5.5°C (that is, the intra-pulpal temperature exceeds 42.4°C). This excessive heat transfer results in inflammation and necrosis of the pulp. Despite numerous studies stating the importance of heat transfer and control during dental procedures, there are limited studies that have quantified the significance. Past studies incorporated an experimental setup where a thermocouple is placed inside the pulp of an extracted human tooth and connected to an electronic digital thermometer. Methods This review identified the opportunity for future research and develop both the understanding of various influencing factors on heat generation and the different sensor systems to measure the intrapulpal temperature. Conclusion Various steps of dental restorative procedures have the potential to generate considerable amounts of heat which can permanently damage the pulp, leading to pulp necrosis, discoloration of the tooth and eventually tooth loss. Thus, measures should be undertaken to limit pulp irritation and injury during procedures. This review highlighted the gap for future research and a need for an experimental setup which can simulate pulp blood flow, temperature, intraoral temperature and intraoral humidity to accurately simulate the intraoral conditions and record temperature changes during various dental procedures.

PurposeTo assess the changes in intrapulpal temperature between electric high‐speed handpieces of different coolant functions (‘Water Jet’ and ‘Water Spray’), coolant port designs (1‐ and 4‐port), suction use, and bur and tooth types using an experimental in vitro setup.Materials and methodsForty‐four extracted anterior and posterior teeth were collected. A total of 18 groove cuts (n = 18/coolant port spray design, bur and tooth type group) and 12 groove cuts (n = 12/tooth type and suction use) were completed, with a total of 264 groove cuts. Real‐time temperature and duration were recorded at 1‐s intervals throughout the preparation process using a thermocouple and digital data logger setup (GFX Data Logger Series and EL USB‐TC; Lascar Electronics Inc., USA), and the data retrieved using EasyLog Software (EasyLog USB; Lascar Electronics Inc., USA). Statistical analysis was performed (SPSS V.27) for the change in temperature using the analysis of variance and post hoc analysis.ResultsThe majority of the specimen cuts, regardless of tooth (anterior or posterior) and bur (diamond or carbide) types, handpiece coolant port design, and suction use showed an overall decreasing trend in intrapulpal temperature. No cuts caused a mean temperature change that reached the critical temperature of 42.5°C or resulted in an overall increase in intrapulpal temperature when the 60‐s duration was completed.ConclusionsThe tested electric handpieces efficiently reduced intrapulpal temperature, with the majority displaying a decreasing trend. A greater decrease in intrapulpal temperature was observed in canines compared to premolars; carbide burs compared to diamond; and with no suction preparations compared to when suction was used.