Chemical caries removal is a minimally invasive technique that allows for the selective elimination of decayed dentin without the use of a dental drill.
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✅ How Does This Technique Work?
The chemical agents dissolve denatured collagen fibers found in infected dentin, leaving healthy dentin intact. The gel is applied directly to the carious lesion, allowed to act for a few minutes, and then the softened tissue is scraped away with hand excavators.
✅ Leading Commercial Products
Here are the most widely used products for chemical caries removal:
1. Carisolv®
➤ Composition: Amino acids (lysine, leucine, glutamate), sodium hypochlorite (0.5%), and a gel carrier.
➤ Mechanism of Action: Sodium hypochlorite breaks down denatured collagen, while amino acids buffer the solution for selective tissue removal.
➤ Advantages: Tissue-selective action, reduced need for anesthesia, well-tolerated by patients.
➤ Disadvantages: Unpleasant odor, longer procedure time compared to traditional methods.
2. Papacárie Duo®
➤ Composition: Papain, chloramine, toluidine blue, and thickening agents.
➤ Mechanism of Action: Papain, an enzyme from papaya, breaks down the protein matrix in decayed dentin. Chloramine enhances the antimicrobial effect.
➤ Advantages: Biocompatible, anti-inflammatory, gentle enzymatic action.
➤ Disadvantages: Less effective in dry or deep lesions, moderately priced.
3. Brix3000®
➤ Composition: Highly purified papain (3,000 U/mg) with EBE (Encapsulated Buffered Emulsion) technology.
➤ Mechanism of Action: Targets and hydrolyzes denatured collagen with high specificity and enhanced stability.
➤ Advantages: Fast-acting, high enzymatic activity, easy-to-use syringe.
➤ Disadvantages: Higher cost, supervision recommended in extensive lesions.
4. Carie-Care™
➤ Composition: Papain, chloramine, clove oil (eugenol), and natural extracts.
➤ Mechanism of Action: Similar to Papacárie, with an added calming effect from clove oil.
➤ Advantages: Affordable, mild analgesic and antiseptic properties.
➤ Disadvantages: Variable effectiveness depending on lesion texture.
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° Ensure relative isolation to prevent contamination.
° Apply only to infected dentin.
° Use hand excavators to remove softened tissue.
° Visually and tactilely assess the remaining dentin to avoid overexcavation.
° Rinse with saline after the procedure.
✅ Clinical Advantages
° Minimally invasive and conservative.
° Reduces or eliminates the need for dental drills and anesthesia.
° Excellent for children, elderly, and anxious patients.
° Preserves healthy tooth structure.
° Compatible with bioactive restorative approaches.
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° Longer chair time compared to rotary methods.
° Higher cost for certain products.
° May be less effective on hard or sclerotic lesions.
° Requires careful visual and tactile evaluation.
💬 Discussion
Multiple studies support chemical caries removal as a conservative alternative in restorative dentistry. Enzymatic agents such as papain and oxidizers like sodium hypochlorite have demonstrated effectiveness in dissolving infected dentin without compromising healthy tissue. Despite limitations such as longer procedure times and availability, this technique aligns with modern principles of minimally invasive dentistry and is gaining wider acceptance.
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Chemical caries removal is a significant advancement in conservative dentistry, offering a drill-free, painless option for removing decayed tissue. While it does not fully replace mechanical methods, its integration into clinical practice provides a more comfortable and tissue-preserving approach for managing dental caries.
📚 References
✔ Abdelaziz, K. M., & Hassan, M. I. (2018). Efficacy of papain gel (Papacárie®) and Carisolv® in caries removal in primary teeth: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 42(5), 353–359. https://doi.org/10.17796/1053-4625-42.5.10
✔ Bussadori, S. K., Castro, L. C., & Galvão, A. C. (2005). Papain gel: A new chemo-mechanical caries removal agent. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 30(2), 115–119. https://doi.org/10.17796/jcpd.30.2.u025q822j424u5g6
✔ Koch, G., Poulsen, S., Espelid, I., & Haubek, D. (2017). Pediatric dentistry: A clinical approach (3rd ed.). Wiley Blackwell.
✔ Maragakis, G. M., Hahn, P., & Hellwig, E. (2001). Clinical evaluation of Carisolv® for removing carious dentin and effect on restorative materials and bonding. American Journal of Dentistry, 14(1), 58–60.
✔ Lussi, A., & Hellwig, E. (2019). Alternatives to drilling: Chemomechanical caries removal. In Mount, G. J., & Hume, W. R. (Eds.). Preservation and Restoration of Tooth Structure (3rd ed., pp. 95–104). Wiley-Blackwell.
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