title: Chemomechanical caries removal method versus mechanical caries removal methods in clinical and community-based setting: A comparative in vivo study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of various caries removal techniques in mandibular primary molars using Smart Burs, atraumatic restorative technique (ART) (mechanical caries removal) and Carie-care (chemomechanical caries removal [CMCR]) among primary school children in clinical and community-based settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 carious primary mandibular molars were selected for the study from the dental clinic and community. They were equally assigned to four groups according to caries removal technique and also by the operating site. In Group 1, caries was removed using Carie-care in the dental clinic and in Group 2, with Smart Burs in the dental clinic. In Group 3, caries was removed using Carie-care in the field and in Group 4, with the ART in the field. The time taken for caries removal, the efficacy of caries removal and patient acceptance were evaluated with different caries removal techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis by ANOVA test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In clinical settings, Carie-care was time-consuming but was more efficient with increased acceptance than Smart Burs and the result was found to be significant statistically (P < 0.05). In community-based settings, Carie-care was more efficient, less time consuming, and showed an increased acceptance when compared to atraumatic restorative treatment and the result was found to be significant statistically (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CMCR technique was superior to the mechanical caries removal technique in primary teeth among school children in terms of time, efficacy, and acceptance in both clinical- and community-based settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: K V K Santosh
authors.initials: KVKS
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: M Ghanashyam
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: R Venkata
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Sandeep
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: S Pavani
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Divya
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pratyusha
keywords: Atraumatic restorative technique; Carie-care; Smart Burs; caries removal; patient acceptance