Evaluation and Comparison of Caries Excavation Efficacy of Three Different Burs: A Micro-computed Tomographic-assisted Study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three different caries excavation methods using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen freshly extracted human molar teeth with occlusal dentinal caries were selected. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally into two halves and were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) depending on the caries removal technique: Group 1: tungsten carbide (TC) bur, Group 2: cerabur (CB), and Group 3: Excavus (EX) tipEX). A preoperative micro-CT scan of all the samples was taken. The caries excavation procedures were carried out followed by postoperative micro-CT scan. The preoperative and postoperative scans of each tooth were analyzed for caries removal effectiveness (CRE), mineral density (MD), and minimal invasiveness potential (MIP) using Avizo 9.4 software (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Germany). Statistical analysis was conducted by applying three-way analysis of variance and independent sample t-test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 20.0 (IBM Corporation, USA). RESULTS: Among the three groups, the TC group had the smallest RC/IC (residual caries/initial caries) ratio, highest mean MD at the cavity floor, and highest MIP. The EX group significantly had the highest RC/IC, lowest mean MD, and lowest MIP. Both the CRE and MIP parameters of CB group were acceptable (RC/IC = 0.08, mean MD = 1.09g/cm(3), and MIP = 1.09). CONCLUSION: As compared with the three excavation methods, CBs can be considered as an alternative to TC burs because of its MIP and complete removal of infected carious dentin.