Chemo-mechanical removal of caries in an adolescent patient using a papain gel: case report

Abstract

The chemo-mechanical model of caries removal has been introduced as an alternative method of caries removal and is indicated to overcome the inconvenience of using burs and local anesthesia, causing less discomfort to the patient, and preserving healthy dental structure. Papacarie is a papain gel composed basically of papain, chloramines, and toluidine blue. Papain interacts with exposed collagen by the dissolution of dentin minerals through bacteria, making the infected dentin softer, and allowing its removal with non-cutting instruments without local anesthesia and burs. This paper proposes the use of a papain-based gel for the removal of active caries with infected tissue followed by a glass ionomer restoration in an adolescent patient. Removal of caries tissue with Papacarie proved to be efficient, easy and comfortable for the patient.