Papain–Based Gel for Chemo-Mechanical Caries Removal: Influence on Microleakage and Microshear Bond Strength of Esthetic Restorative Materials

Aim: This study was conducted to throw light on the effect of papain –based gel (Papacarié) on microleakage and microshear bond strength of two esthetic restorative materials ; glass ionomer restoration (Fuji IX GP) and light cured hybrid composite resin (Valux Plus, 3M ESPE). Methods: Microleakage test: thirty primary molars with carious occlusal surfaces were randomly assigned into three groups after caries removal using the papain based gel ( Papacarié) according to restorative material used. Group I: Glass ionomer restoration. Group II: Composite resin with etch and bond. Group III: Composite resin without etching step; bonding only. Restored teeth were subjected to thermocycling for 500 cycles at 5-55 C with dowel time 15 seconds. Then teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours, after which teeth were sectioned and the extent of dye penetration was evaluated under stereomicroscope. Micro-shear bond strength: twenty caries free molars imbedded in cylindrical acrylic moulds were prepared into flat dentinal surfaces. Teeth were randomly assigned into two groups according to bonded restorative material; Group I: glass iomomer and Group 2; light cured hybrid composite resin. Both groups were further subdivided into two subgroups according to the addition or omission of Papacarié prior to bonding. Restorative materials were bonded in the form of micro cylinders which were subjected to shear force until failure occurred. Fracture mode was analyzed under stereomicroscope. Results: Microleakage; glass ionomer restoration (group I) showed statistically significant highest percent leakage (50.71± 20.96%) and the highest mean score (2.71± o.95). No significant difference was noted between groups II and III. Micro-shear bond strength of glass ionomer restoration to dentin surface showed no statistically significant difference among subgroups I A and I B (P>0.05). While, micro shear bond strength of composite restoration to dentin surface was significantly higher in surfaces treated with Papacarié (subgroup II B) than those of untreated dentin surfaces (P <0.000). Fracture mode of glass ionomer was mainly adhesive and that of composite was cohesive. Conclusion: Composite resin restoration exhibited less microleakage and better micro-shear bond strength than glass ionomer after the use of Papacarié gel. Application of Papain-based gel (Papacarié) to dentine surface improves the micro-shear bond strength of composite resin, but it has no influence on micro-shear bond strength of glass ionomer. [Nagwa Mohamed Aly Khattab and Ola Moustafa Omar Papain–Based Gel for Chemo-Mechanical Caries Removal: Influence on Microleakage and Microshear Bond Strength of Esthetic Restorative Materials. Journal of American Science 2012; 8(3): 391-399].(ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience.org.52