Comparative evaluation of efficacy of two minimally invasive caries removal techniques on fracture resistance of the teeth restored with composite: An SEM study

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and fracture resistance of the teeth restored with composite using two minimally invasive caries removal techniques under a scanning electron microscope. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: Forty-five freshly extracted human permanent molars with Class I and II dentinal caries were selected. Diamond bur group (15): The carious lesion was excavated using round diamond bur until hard dentine was detected. Polymer bur group (15): Carious lesion was removed using polymer burs in circular motions. V-cariesolve gel group (15): Carious lesion was covered with V-cariesolve gel for 30 s and was scraped using a spoon excavator. The time required for the caries removal by each group was recorded. The effectiveness of caries excavation was verified using caries indicator dye. The smear layer removal was assessed using a scanning electron microscope. The cavities were restored with composite resin and fracture resistance of teeth was evaluated. All the data were tabulated and analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test for overall comparison followed by Mann–Whitney U-test for pairwise comparison. RESULTS: The mean time taken for caries excavation by diamond bur group was less (86.13 s), retention of smear layer was less with diamond bur group, and the median score for staining of infected dentin was more (3) in V-cariesolve gel group. Fracture resistance was highest (1.53) with diamond bur group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Caries removal efficacy and fracture resistance for diamond bur group were better compared to polymer bur group and v-cariesolve gel.