X-ray microtomography assessment of Carisolv and Papacarie effect on dentin mineral density and amount of removed tissue.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to directly compare Carisolv and Papacarie regarding the volume of removed tissue (RT) and dentin mineral density (DMD) after excavation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty permanent molars were randomized into two groups where caries was excavated using Carisolv or Papacarie followed by removal of softened tissue by a blunt instrument. X-ray microtomography was used to scan teeth before and after excavation generating two- and three-dimensional images that were used to calculate the percentage of RT relative to baseline tooth tissue volume and DMD that was categorized into sound dentin (>1.11 g/cm(3)) and residual caries (</=1.11 g/cm(3)). The two groups were compared using t-test Fisher exact test. RESULTS: DMD was higher after Papacarie than Carisolv (mean = 1.70 and 1.14, p = .14) with higher percentage of cases with sound dentin (70 and 60%, p = 1.00). The percentage of RT was lower after Papacarie than Carisolv (7.40 and 8.95%, p = .31) with 22.95% less RT in cases that ended with sound dentin after excavation. CONCLUSIONS: There was higher DMD, more sound dentin and less RT when Papacarie was used compared to Carisolv.