Temperature Rise Caused by Short or Long-wavelengths

In Vivo Temperature Changes Caused by Exposure to Short- and Long-wavelengths

Red light has been shown to be less harmful than blue light in vitro and in vivo. Although red light has been already introduced in the market and is currently being used in patients for several reasons, no data exist on the use of red light applied to restorative procedures. This study aims to specifically measure the in vivo temperature rise in simulated restorative procedures using blue light (standard) and red light and its post-operative sensitivity rates.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Post-operative Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Blue Light; Device: Red Light

Detailed Description

Light-cured materials revolutionized dentistry as they allowed to control the setting of the materials in a timely manner simply upon light exposure. Although blue light has been routinely used to cure dental restorative materials for over 50 years, there are still potential risks to dental patients. These risks include gingiva burn or recession and pulp inflammation that can lead to necrosis in more severe situations due to the heat generated by this short wavelength (blue light). In addition, blue light has direct deleterious effects on cells, including irreversible imbalance in reactive oxygen species (ROS), damage to the mitochondrial DNA, and promoting collagen degradation. On the other hand, long wavelengths (such as red light) are known to have opposite effects, reducing inflammation and increasing cell proliferation. Although red light has been already introduced in the market and is currently being used in patients for several reasons, no in vivo data exist on the use of red-light applied to restorative procedures. Thus, this study aims to specifically measure the in vivo temperature rise in the tooth and gingival tissues surrounding restorative procedures using blue light (standard of care) and red light (investigational device) and evaluate/compare its post-operative sensitivity rates. The research hypothesis is that red light will generate less heat and less post-operative sensitivity than blue light (standard of care) while being used in dental restorative procedures.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32610
      • Recruiting
      • University of Florida College of Dentistry Dental Clinical Research Unit
      • Contact: Renita Jenkins, CCRC, CDA; Phone Number: 352-273-6933; Email: rjenkins@dental.ufl.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Dayane Oliveira, DDS, MS, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• ASA I classification
• Fully erupted pre-molar(s);
• Absence of caries;
• Absence of restoration.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Radiographic constriction of the pulp chamber;
• Absence of apical closure;
• Formation of pulp stones or diffuse calcification at the pulp chamber;
• Presence of active carious lesions;
• Diagnosed reversible or irreversible pulpitis;
• Existing periapical lesion;
• Existing or planned root canal treatment.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Blue Light; Light-curing procedure performed using blue light emission.	Device: Blue Light; Light Curing with Blue Light
Experimental: Red Light; Light-curing procedure performed using red light emission.	Device: Red Light; Light Curing with Red Light

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Temperature Change	Temperature changes in degrees Celsius will be live-recorded by means of temperature probes for surface temperature acquisition.	During restorative procedure.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Post-Operative Sensitivity	All patients will be called after the restoration(s) were placed to follow-up on any possible post-operative sensitivity or other questions or concerns. Post-operative sensitivity will be recorded as present or absent. If present, the post-operative sensitivity will be classified as mild, moderate, or severe according to the visual analog scale (VAS).	One week (±2 days) after intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Florida
• Collaborators: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 22, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 25, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 13, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): May 17, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 19, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 17, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Pain, Postoperative
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB202300690; 1K23DE034470-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No