Minimally invasive caries removal using bio-active glass air-abrasion.
OBJECTIVE
Alumina air-abrasion has been used to clean teeth and shown to over-prepare access cavity preparation to caries. This study investigated the working hypothesis that bio-active glass air-abrasion is more self-limiting than alumina for minimally invasive caries removal.


METHODS
Human extracted molars were scored visually using ICDAS II criteria, divided into sound and carious groups and air-abraded with alumina (n=10) and bio-active glass (n=10) in each group, using identical operating parameters. The amount of enamel removed was semi-quantitatively assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Operating time was recorded.


RESULTS
Bio-active glass abrasion removed extrinsic stain and substantial quantities of enamel from all carious fissures but not from sound, where only minimal microscopic surface modifications were observed. Alumina air-abrasion resulted in faster extrinsic stain and clinically substantial enamel removal in both sound and carious groups equally.


CONCLUSIONS
Bio-active glass air-abrasion appeared to show a significant self-limiting tendency towards demineralised enamel and extrinsic stain removal but was slower in comparison to alumina air-abrasion. Self-limiting bio-active glass air-abrasion could be used clinically to clean teeth, detect caries and minimally prepare carious enamel as part of MI caries access or placing a sealant restoration.
Banerjee
A
A
King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College & St. Thomas' Hospitals, KCL, London, UK. avijit.banerjee@kcl.ac.uk
Thompson
I D
ID
Watson
T F
TF
D020906:Air Abrasion, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D002516:Ceramics; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008963:Molar / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
C425330:bioactive glass 45S5; D000537:Aluminum Oxide