title: A microbiological assessment of polymer and conventional carbide burs in caries removal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the caries removal efficiency of polymer burs (Smartburs) and conventional carbide burs microbiologically.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients participated, each presenting 2 active carious lesions on the occlusal surfaces of primary molars. Sample-taking and caries-removal were done in the following order: (1) first sample (from the carious dentin); (2) caries removal (with a Smartbur or carbide bur); and (3) second sample (from the caries-free dentin), respectively. The samples were processed in a laboratory and spread on various media. The colonies on the agar plates were counted, and then numbers of CFU/ml were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences between the numbers of CFU/ml in the carious dentin before preparation, comparing the Smartbur group and carbide bur group for all the media used (P>.05). There were statistically significant differences in the numbers of CFU/ml before and after preparation comparing both types of burs for all the media used (P<.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the reductions of the numbers of CFU/ml, comparing the 2 preparation instruments (P>.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The polymer burs were found as effective as the conventional carbide burs microbiologically in caries removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elgin Erdemli
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Isik
authors.forename: Aysegül
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olmez
authors.forename: Gülçin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akca
authors.forename: Nedim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sultan
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003804:Dentin / Q000382:microbiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008963:Molar / Q000382:microbiology; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000382:microbiology; D017973:Tungsten Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D003764:Dental Materials; D011108:Polymers; D017973:Tungsten Compounds; C002802:tungsten carbide