The applications of infrared thermography in surgical removal of retained teeth effects assessment

Abstract

At the beginning, applications of thermal imaging in dentistry were focused mostly on the assessment of thermal effects during filling cavities, laser treatment and inflammation of periodontal tissues. The biggest problem in thermal imaging was limiting access and rapid change of humidity when the mouth opens during measurements. However, nowadays thermal map of body surface is correlated with inflammatory state changing inner mouth. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of thermal imaging to localize the inflammation and monitor treatment effects after surgical removal of third retained molar teeth. The cohort consisted of 27 patients with referral for the surgical extraction of the third retained molar. Thermal imaging of the sagittal face was performed before and after the procedure and on the first, fourth and seventh day after the extraction. Obtained thermal maps are correlated with the third molar teeth inflammation location. Moreover, the changes of temperature in the area of both the tooth and the cheek correspond to the mechanisms of wound healing described in the literature. Obtained results were not only qualitative but also quantitative what was confirmed by statistically significant difference. It seems that thermal imaging, which is a noninvasive method, can be used to monitor treatment processes after surgical procedures, as well as on the location of inflammation.

Effectiveness of a Central Discharge Element Sock for Plantar Temperature Reduction and Improving Comfort

“…To measure the temperature with the associated software (Flir Tools), the forefoot (the area in which the experimental cushioning element was located) was divided into 5 zones: (1) the first metatarsal head, (2) the second and third MTH, (3) the fourth and fifth MTH, (4) the first toe, and (5) the fifth toe ( Figure 3 ). The mean temperature for the entirety of each zone analyzed was calculated as an average of all pixels in a marked area, as this was a more robust measure [ 24 ]. To avoid bias, the researcher responsible for the thermographic analysis was blinded in the study.…”

May thermal imaging be useful in the assessment of dental anaesthesia? Preliminary study

“…Each patient had to adapt to the environment temperature for 20 min before the procedure and examination. According to the guidelines of thermal imaging diagnostics in medicine, during the adaptation process, patients stay calm in environmental conditions with uncovered imaged body regions [7,[10][11][12][13]. Patients were requested not to take painkillers or antipyretics in the last 24 h, antibiotics in the past week, consume alcohol within 24 h before the test, take sauna within 2 days prior to the test, and a potential physical exertion on the day of the test.…”

“…Thermovision is commonly used in many applications, from industry to medicine. The several fields of medicine where thermal imaging is popular can be pointed, i.e., allergology, physiotherapy, oncology or even dentistry [7][8][9][10].…”

Palm Temperature Differences after Static and Dynamic Load on High Bar

“…Infrared thermography has been successfully used in medicine to diagnose breast cancer, diabetic neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disorders, as well as to detect problems in gynecology, kidney transplants, dermatology and chronic wound treatment [ 2 ], the heart, neonatal physiology, fever screening, and brain imaging [ 3 , 4 ], and dentistry [ 5 ]. In 2017, a review on the application of medical infrared thermal imaging in hands was conducted [ 6 ].…”