HISTOPATHOLOGIC EFFECTS OF KINETIC CAVITY PREPARATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENAMEL AND DENTIN - AN IN-VIVO ANIMAL STUDY

Recent developments in technology, direct placement restorative materials, and cavity preparation design have renewed interest in kinetic cavity preparation, a term to describe the use of air-abrasion for removal of tooth structure. This study compared the pulpal response of 120 teeth in mixed-breed dogs treated with four kinetic cavity preparation combinations of pressure (80 psi and 160 psi) and aluminum oxide particle sizes (27 mu m and 50 mu m) to those treated with high-speed rotary burs. Class V buccal preparations were made and restored with an interim material, Teeth were collected 72 hours after surgery, decalcified, sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and blindly evaluated by two examiners at the minimal dentin thickness. Samples were graded for extent of displacement, disruption, inflammation, and necrosis of pulpal structures. Differences between groups were analyzed with the use of Bonferroni-adjusted multiple Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests with p < 0.05 being significant Higher pressures and smaller particles yielded significantly fewer pulpal effects than the high-speed treated teeth whereas lower pressures and larger particles were not significantly different for most effects evaluated. No adverse soft tissue effects were noted when kinetic cavity preparation was directed at attached gingiva.