A comparative evaluation of dentin caries removal with polymer bur and conventional burs—An in vitro study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the comparative efficacy of Polymer bur (Smartprep) and Conventional burs (Carbide bur & Diamond Points) in selective Dentin caries re-moval. Materials and method: 15 freshly extracted carious human premolars and molars were selected for this study. These teeth were split in the center of carious lesion, in order to obtain two corresponding half. Thus 30 samples were prepared in this way. These were randomly divided in to 3 groups of 10 samples each. Group 1: The carious portion of these samples was excavated with the help of polymer bur Smartprep (SS White). Group 3: Prepared with Tung-sten carbide round bur (No. 018). Group 3: Prepared with the help of Diamond points (No. 018). The period of time involved in this process is measured. After excavation of all carious lesions, a longitudinal section from mid most part of lesion was obtain with the help of diamond disc at slow speed. After staining with caries detector dye " Seek " , the sections were sub-jected to histological evaluation under stereomicro-scope. The thickness of remaining caries is measured in more or less than 1 mm. Results: The difference in grading of remaining carious dentin between Polymer bur and Conventional burs were statistically non-significant, but Polymer bur taken more time in com-parison to Conventional burs. Conclusion: Smartprep bur is more conservative in selectively dentin caries removal than Conventional burs but same time it is more time consuming than Conventional burs.