Assessement of Pain Response during Caries Removal using Conventional Tungsten Carbide Bur and a Chemomechanical Caries Removal Agent (Brix Gel) : An In Vivo Study

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to assess the pain response during caries removal using conventional tungsten carbide bur and a chemomechanical caries removal agent(CMCR) – Brix 3000 gel using Wong Baker Faces pain scale. Materials and methods: In this study twenty patients in the age group of 20 to 50 years with site 1 size 2 and 3(Mount and Hume’s classification) dentinal caries in the permanent maxillary and mandibular molars were randomly selected and distributed to 2 experimental groups. In Group A Tungsten carbide round burs was used while in Group B Brix 3000 gel was applied into the cavity for caries excavation. Dentin excavation was stopped until a hard dentin was detected with nonflexible blunt probe. Finally a caries detector dye is used to assess complete removal of infected dentin. Results: The scores obtained from the scale was analysed using Mann whitney U test which didn’t show any significant difference between the two methods of caries excavation. Conclusion: Although the results did not indicate marked difference in the pain perception, carious tissue removal using Brix 3000 gel can be used as an alternative to conventional drilling method as it removes only the carious dentine with less application of pressure. Key Words Caries Detector, Chemomechanical, Dental anxiety, Pain Perception, Papain, Tungsten Carbide.