Pain Perception of Novel Chemo-mechanical Caries Remove Versus Atraumatic Restorative Treatment Method in Primary Molars

The principles of the caries removal have changed greatly in the last decade. The use of local anesthesia with conventional techniques "high-speed hand piece" increase the fear and anxiety of the child. Minimally invasive techniques reduce the pain and anxiety of the child by eliminating the use of local anesthesia

Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) is one of the approaches based on this philosophy. It involves the manual removal of carious tissue without the use of local anesthesia or rotary instruments, followed by restoration with glass ionomer cement, an adhesive material that chemically bonds to tooth structure and releases fluoride, promoting remineralization.

Chemo mechanical caries removal (CMCR) is another minimally invasive technique that utilizes chemical agents with proteolytic action to degrade denatured collagen within carious dentin, facilitating its removal without the need for rotary instruments. This technique reduces pain, discomfort, and anxiety, making it particularly suitable for pediatric patients. Additionally, CMCR minimizes the risk of unnecessary removal of healthy tooth structure and may reduce the need for local anesthesia, thereby improving patient cooperation and the overall treatment experience.