A comparative study of the clinical efficiency of chemomechanical caries removal using Carisolv®and Papacarie®- A papain gel

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficiency of chemomechanical caries removal using Carisolv and Papacarie - a papain gel. The Carisolv system for caries removal, consisting of a solvent gel and a specially designed hand instrument, was compared to Papacarie - a papain gel. The outcome variables were: time taken for complete caries removal and volume of carious tissue excavated. Forty patients in the age-group of 20-40 years, having Black's class I dentinal caries with cavity entrance size of ≥3 mm in the molars, were enrolled for the study. The time taken for the complete removal of caries was measured using a stopwatch. Pre- and post-excavation single-step putty/wash elastomeric impression was recorded using addition silicone impression material. Subsequently, casts were poured and measured under a traveling microscope. The total volume of caries excavated was computed using the formula π (d/2)² h. The difference between the two groups in clinical efficiency and volume excavated was statistically analyzed using the Student's unpaired 't' test. The time for caries removal with Carisolv and Papacarie were, respectively, 11.67 ± 3.25 minutes and 10.48 ± 2.96 minutes (P>.05). The mean volume of carious tissue removed with Papacarie (135.99 ± 66.43 mm ³ ) was higher than that with Carisolv (126.33 ± 53.56 mm ³ ); however, the difference was not significant. Carisolv and Papacarie have similar clinically efficiency as chemomechanical agents for dentinal caries removal.