Evaluation and Comparison of the Efficacy of Chemo-Mechanical, Mechanical Methods of Caries Removal under Self-Illuminated Light Microscope and Stereomicroscope – An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND There are different caries removal methods including conventional rotary caries removal, atraumatic restorative therapy, air abrasion, lasers, and chemo-mechanical caries removal (CMCR). Chemo-mechanical caries removal is an alternative treatment for active caries, that involves the caries removal of only infected dental tissue and acts by the dissolution of carious lesions with natural or synthetic agents. Aim Comparison of chemo-mechanical material (CariSolv) and the mechanical method (Smart bur & Carbide bur) of caries removal under a self-illuminated microscope and stereomicroscope in terms of efficacy and time duration. METHODS Tooth was sectioned in 4 parts and grouped into 4 as group 1, group 2, group 3, and group 4. Each group was treated with different caries removal methods of carbide bur, smart bur, CariSolv and control group. Examined under self-illuminated and stereomicroscope at 10 different points from middle to periphery. RESULTS Carbide bur specimens have a negligible amount of affected dentin and there is a destruction of dentinal tubules when compared to the smart bur group & CariSolv group. Showing affected dentin thickness in 4 groups at 10 different positions from the middle part of the lesion to the periphery (i.e., towards CEJ & cusp tip) by using a stereomicroscope. CONCLUSIONS The CariSolv group demonstrated the presence of affected dentine higher and took twice the time to remove caries but was easy to induce and conserved the healthy tooth structure when compared to carbide and smart bur groups. Less amount of affected dentine was seen in the carbide bur group but there was a destruction of sound dentine.