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In vitro comparison of three caries dyes
Kazuo Itoh1, Mizuho Kusunoki, Misa Oikawa
1Department of Clinical Cariology, Showa University, School of Dentistry, 2-1-1 Kitasenzoku, Ohta-Ward, Tokyo 145-8515, Japan. kitoh@dent.showa-u.ac.jp
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy of a conventional and newly-developed caries detector (Caries Check) by measuring the Vickers microhardness (VMH) and DIAGNOdent value of the dentin cavity wall of extracted human teeth after removing carious dentin that was stained by the caries detector.
Methods:
30 human teeth with coronal dentin caries extending halfway through the dentin were sectioned and extracted for use in this study. As a control, the longitudinal section of a caries-free extracted human tooth was prepared. The VMH and DIAGNOdent values were measured and the microstructure of the dentin cavity wall was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Results:
When Caries Check was employed as a guide for carious dentin removal, the microhardness of the cavity wall was significantly lower than the normal dentin and the DIAGNOdent value indicated that the dentin may have recalcified. SEM observations of the stained regions revealed that Caries Check did not stain the sclerotic dentin. Based on these findings, Caries Check may be a useful modality because the excavation of the dentin structure was shallower and the sclerotic dentin was preserved.
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