title: Microhardness and Ca:P ratio of carious and Carisolv treated caries-affected dentine using an ultra-micro-indentation system and energy dispersive analysis of x-rays--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate microhardness and chemical analysis of carious and caries-affected dentine. The hypothesis tested was that calcium:phosphorous (Ca:P) ratios correlate with microhardness values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four carious human third molars were sectioned through the caries lesion in the mesiodistal longitudinal plane. One half of each lesion underwent carious dentine removal using Carisolv gel. The cut surfaces were polished, microhardness tested using an Ultra-Micro-Indentation System (UMIS) and elemental analysis performed using energy dispersive analysis of x-rays (EDAX).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microhardness of carious dentine decreased gradually towards the cavity floor, but that for caries-affected dentine showed more variation with depth, having a mean hardness of (0.63 +/- 0.18) GPa. Ca:P ratios of carious dentine varied among the four specimens. The mean Ca:P ratio of caries-affected dentine was 1:2.03 +/- 0.08. The hypothesis was accepted for active lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of Carisolv to excavate carious tissue can be as effective as rotary instrumentation.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sakoolnamarka
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Burrow
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tyas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003804:Dentin / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004548:Elasticity; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008239:Lysine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: C119934:Carisolv; D010758:Phosphorus; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D007930:Leucine; D008239:Lysine; D002118:Calcium