A comparative clinical study of various methods of caries removal in children.

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of caries removal, time taken and to evaluate the pain threshold experienced by children during various caries removal methods. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients aged between 4 and 14 years requiring dental restorations were selected. Caries removal was completed using an air-rotor, hand instruments, Carisolv and polymer burs. The efficacy, time taken and pain thresholds were evaluated during caries removal by Ericsson et al. scale, visual analogue scale and verbal pain scale, respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was collected and statistically analysed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Post Hoc comparison by Bonferroni method. The skewed data was analysed amongst groups by applying Kruskal-Wallis test followed by probability adjustment by Mann-Whitney test. RESULT: These results indicated that the efficacy of caries removal was highest with air-rotor and was least by the hand instrument, whilst Carisolv(R) was least painful and the most time-consuming method. CONCLUSIONS: Caries removal with polymer burs and Carisolv were found to be as effective in caries removal and could be considered as alternatives to painful procedures as air-rotor in management of caries especially in children.