Improved surface layer erosion of pit and fissure caries lesions in preparation for resin infiltration

The penetration of a low-viscosity resin (infiltrant) into caries lesions depends on the erosion of the relatively impermeable surface layer (SL) that covers the lesion body. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different abrasive pretreatments on erosion of the surface layer and on penetration of an infiltrant into occlusal caries lesions simultaneously. Sixty extracted human molars showing ICDAS-2 lesions were randomly allocated to 5 groups. A small area of each lesion was covered with resin before etching. Twelve lesions each were etched with either 15% HCl-gel (H120) or 37% H3PO4-gel (P120) for 120s. Furthermore, the standard 15% HCl-gel or either one of two experimental etchants (HCl-gel or H3PO4-gel, each including abrasives) were applied for either 120s or 30s using a brush (surface pressure 150g) (H30B, P120BA, H30BA). After rinsing and drying all lesions were infiltrated for 180s (Icon; DMG). From each tooth sections were prepared and visualized using confocal microscopy. SL of unetched areas and the lesion depth were 33(23/51) μm and 537(274/876)μm, respectively both not differing significantly between groups. H120, H30B and H30BA showed significantly higher SL reduction compared with P120 or P120BA, but only for H30BA SL was eroded almost completely (p

Source: Caries Research - October 28, 2022 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research