title: Chemical, morphological and microhardness changes of dentine after chemomechanical caries removal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compared the chemical, morphological and microhardness changes in carious dentine following application of NaOCl-based (Carisolv), papain-based (Papacarie) chemomechanical caries removal agents with conventional rotary method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two carious and eight non-carious human permanent molars were used. The carious molars were randomly distributed into four groups: Group 1 (positive control) - molars were left without caries removal; Group 2 - caries excavated with rotary method; Group 3 - caries excavated with Carisolv; Group 4 - caries excavated with Papacarie. Group 5 (negative control) consisted of eight sound molars. After caries excavation, all specimens were prepared for chemical, morphological analysis and Vickers hardness testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EDX analysis showed no significant difference in Ca wt%, P wt% and Ca/P ratio among Groups 2 to 5. Vickers hardness of dentine from Groups 3 and 4 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than for Groups 2 and 5. The use of Papacarie resulted in a dentine surface without smear layer and patent tubules, while Carisolv resulted in a dentine surface exhibiting two patterns: (1) the presence of smear layer or (2) patent tubules with partial smear layer formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Papain-based (Papacarie) chemomechanical caries removal method is a reliable alternative to conventional rotary and NaOCl-based (Carisolv) caries removal.
authors: Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: H H
authors: HH
authors: Hamama
authors: C K Y
authors: CK
authors: Yiu
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Burrow
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: King
mesh_terms: D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006244:Hardness; D006245:Hardness Tests; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008239:Lysine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008963:Molar; D010206:Papain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: C119934:Carisolv; C509557:Papacarie; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D010206:Papain; D007930:Leucine; D008239:Lysine
keywords: Carisolv; Chemomechanical caries removal; EDX; Papain; microhardness