Title:  Chemo-mechanical dentine caries removal with Carisolv™ using a rotating brush

Abstract:  Aim The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of removing dentine caries using carbide burs, Carisolv™ with hand instruments and Carisolv™ in combination with a new mechanical excavation method using a rotating brush. Methods 36 extracted permanent teeth, with dentine caries, were assigned into 3 groups according to caries removal technique. Caries removal was monitored by checking the properties of the dentine with a dental explorer. After embedding and sectioning (400 ěm), remaining caries was assessed by using a caries detector. In microscope images (7x) of the samples, the mean stain depth of the remaining carious tissue per tooth was calculated by AnalySIS computer software. Results Four to 8 applications (mean time = 10.9 min) of Carisolv™ were necessary for caries removal with the new method using rotating brushes. The mean thickness of residual dentine caries by this procedure (226 ěm, ± 136) was higher than the one using Carisolv™ with hand instruments (57 ěm, ± 39) or carbide burs (32 ěm, ± 20). Even in areas with good access to the lesion, an unacceptable amount of residual caries was observed. Conclusion Thus, it seems that Carisolv™ using rotating brushes does not reach the degree of caries removal reached by additional mechanical abrasion of Carisolv™ using hand instruments or conventional rotating carbide burs.