Comparative evaluation of smear layer removal by various chemomechanical caries removal agents: an in vitro SEM study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To comparatively evaluate the efficiency of various chemomechanical caries removal agents in smear layer removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surface of 45 extracted, noncarious molars and were divided into three groups according to the chemical treatment received. The samples were then gold palladium coated and viewed under scanning electron microscope. The presence of smear layer was evaluated based on the microscopic observations. Result and Observation The results indicated that smear layer removal was significantly higher in the sodium hypochlorite-based chemomechanical caries removal agents than in the papain-based chemomechanical caries removal agent and was least in the control group treated with saline. CONCLUSION: The smear layer removal was maximum with Carisolv followed by the cariecare and was minimum in the saline-treated group.