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Aim: To compare the efficacy of three caries removal techniques namely: Papacarie(®), calcium hydroxide and rotary instruments by SEM analyses of the micro-morphology of residual dentine and resin tags at resin-dentine interface., Methods: 45 extracted human permanent molar teeth, with occlusal caries extending up to dentine, were divided into two groups (Group 1 and 2) and each group was subdivided into three subgroups: subgroup A included teeth treated with conventional rotary method, subgroup B and C included those treated with calcium hydroxide and Papacarie(®) respectively. Group 1 samples were prepared for viewing the micro-morphology of residual dentine (2000x and 5000x) and Group 2 samples were filled with composite resin and analysed for resin tag formation (1000x) under SEM., Results: Papacarie(®) showed minimal smear layer and open dentinal tubules. Calcium hydroxide and rotary instruments showed a typical smear layer and occluded dentinal tubules. Resin tags obtained with Papacarie(®) were the longest and significantly superior to those obtained with rotary and calcium hydroxide., Conclusions: Papacarie(®) exhibited better bonding characteristics of residual dentine than calcium hydroxide and rotary method of caries removal. Thus, Papacarie(®) is a suitable alternative to conventional method of caries removal, especially in paediatric patients.

Objective: Preventive procedures using pit and fissure sealants are one of the important aspects of pediatric dental practice. The objectives of this in vitro study were to comparatively evaluate microleakage and resin tag penetration of a flowable resin used as a sealant on molars after preparation with Conventional, Enameloplasty and Fissurotomy techniques., Method: A total of 48 teeth were divided into 3 groups (n-16). Group A (CST), Group B (EST), and Group C (FT). Following the fissure preparation sealant was applied as per manufacturer's instructions. 8 samples in each group were used for Microleakage and Resin tag analysis. Microleakage analysis was done under Stereomicroscope after Methylene blue dye immersion by using scoring system. The resin tag analysis was done by measuring the length of resin tags on scanning electron microscope (SEM) images consisting of 10 microm scale taken under optical zoom of 2000 X., Results: Significantly lesser microleakage score (P < 0.01) and longer resin tag penetration (P < 0.001) observed in EST (mean score 0.5 +/- 0.53) & (12.19 +/- 1.93 microm) when compared to CST (mean score 1.75 +/- 0.89) & (5.96 +/- 1.84 microm) and FT (mean score 1.5 +/- 0.53) & (6.76 +/- 1.82 microm) which showed more microleakage and short resin tags. No statistical significance between CST and FT was found., Conclusion: EST has proven to be an excellent method for preparation of pits and fissures when Flowable composite is used as a sealant because of its lesser microleakage and longer resin tag penetration.

Background and Objective: Preventive procedures using pit and fissure sealants are one of the most important aspects of pediatric dental practice. The objectives of this in vitro study were to comparatively evaluate microleakage of a flowable resin used as a sealant on molars after preparation with conventional, enameloplasty and fissurotomy techniques., Materials and Methods: A total of 24 teeth were divided into three groups of eight samples each. Pits and fissures were prepared with conventional sealant technique (CST) (Group A), enameloplasty sealant technique (EST) (Group B) and fissurotomy technique (FT) (Group C). Following sealant placement, thermocycling and sectioning of samples of Groups A, B and C were performed and microleakage was assessed under a stereomicroscope after methylene blue dye immersion., Results: There was significantly lesser microleakage in EST when compared with CST and FT, which showed more microleakage. No statistical significance between CST and FT was found., Interpretation and Conclusion: EST has proven to be an excellent method of preparation of pits and fissures when flowable composite is used as a sealant because of its lesser microleakage.